decitabine
What is the most important information I should know about decitabine?
Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.
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Do not use decitabine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. |
If a man fathers a child while using this medication, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 2 months after you stop receiving decitabine.
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You should not breast-feed while you are receiving decitabine. |
Decitabine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving decitabine?
To make sure you can safely take decitabine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- kidney disease; or
- liver disease.
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FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use decitabine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. |
If a man fathers a child while using this medication, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 2 months after you stop receiving decitabine.
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It is not known whether decitabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving decitabine. |
How is decitabine given?
Decitabine is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Decitabine must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 3 hours to complete.
In most cases, a decitabine injection is given every 8 hours for 3 days. This 3-day treatment is usually repeated every 6 weeks. You will most likely receive at least 4 of these treatments.
You may be given other medications to prevent nausea or vomiting while you are receiving decitabine.
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Decitabine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. |
Overdose symptoms may include some of the serious side effects listed in this medication guide.
What should I avoid while receiving decitabine?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
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Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth. |
What are the possible side effects of decitabine?
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Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. |
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Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: |
- fever, chills, body aches, cough, sore throat, flu symptoms;
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
- pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
- white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
- stabbing chest pain, wheezing, feeling short of breath, cough with yellow or green mucus;
- swelling, pain, tenderness, or redness anywhere on your body; or
- electrolyte imbalance (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, jerking muscle movements, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).
Less serious side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness;
- tired feeling;
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
- cough;
- increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, drowsiness;
- joint pain; or
- sleep problems (insomnia).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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