Decitabine Injection

Conditions Treated

Decitabine is used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (a group of conditions in which the bone marrow produces blood cells that are misshapen and does not produce enough healthy blood cells). Decitabine is in a class of medications called hypomethylation agents. It works by helping the bone marrow produce normal blood cells and by killing abnormal cells in the bone marrow.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Decitabine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• excessive tiredness
• pale skin
• headache
• dizziness
• confusion
• fast heartbeat
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• weakness
• shortness of breath
• nausea
• constipation
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• heartburn or indigestion
• painful sores in mouth, or on tongue or lips
• red spots on the skin
• rash
• change in skin color
• hair loss
• joint or muscle pain
• chest discomfort or chest wall pain
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, lower legs, or stomach
• pain, swelling, or redness at injection spot

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• unusual bleeding or bruising
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face
• sore throat, fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection

Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):

• extreme thirst
• frequent urination
• extreme hunger
• weakness
• blurred vision

Decitabine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Decitabine comes as a powder to be to be added to fluid and injected slowly over 3 hours intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient clinic. It is usually injected every 8 hours for 3 days. This treatment period is called a cycle, and the cycle may be repeated every 6 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends. Decitabine should usually be given for at least four cycles but may be continued if your doctor decides that you will benefit from additional treatment. Your doctor may also need to delay your treatment and reduce your dose if you experience certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with decitabine. Your doctor will give you medication to prevent nausea and vomiting before you receive each dose of decitabine.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before receiving a dose of decitabine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to decitabine or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease.