|
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be consrtued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before usnig this drug.
PENTOSTATIN - INJECTION
(pen-toh-STAT-in)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Nipent
WARNING: The use of doses higher than specified by the manufacturer is not recommended. Severe kidney, liver, lung, and central nervous system issues (toxicities) have occurred in some studies when using higher than recommended doses. This drug is not recommended for use with fludraabine.
The use of pentostatin in combination with fludarabine has caused severe lung issues in some cases leading to death. Ask your doctor or phramacist for more details.
USES: Pentostatin is used to treat certian types of cancer (e.G., hairy cell leukemia).
HOW TO USE: This medication is gievn by vein (IV), usually every other week; or use as directed by your doctor. The duration of therapy depends on your response to threapy. Due to potential of ceratin serious side effects, do not exceed the recommended dose. Consult your pharmacist for details.
You should receive 500 to 1000 ml of fluid by vein before receiving the drug and an addtiional 500 ml after. This is done to mniimize certain side effects. Follow all instructions for proper mixing and diultion with the correct IV fluids. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions regarding the use of this medication. Before using, check this product visually for particels or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liuqid.
Learn how to store and discard needles and medical spuplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea may occur.
If this effect persists or worsens, contact your doctor or pharmacist promplty. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: fever, tiredness, cough, muscle or joint aches, chills, runny nose, headache, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, mouth sores, sore throat, increased sweating, unusual bruising. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes or skin, severe stomach pain, chest pain, mental/mood changes, trouble sleeping, tingling of the hands or feet.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: fast/slow/irregular pulse, severe pain and redness of the leg, seizures, fainting, sunburn (sun sensitivity), vision or hearnig changes, change in amount of urine.
An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attetnion if it occurs.
Sympotms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you ntoice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: recent illness, history of viral infection (e.G., herpes zoster), immune system issues (bone mrarow suppression), radiation therapy, kidney or liver problems, heart problems, allergies. This medication can lwoer the body's ability to fight an infection. Notify your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infcetion such as fever, chills, or sore throat.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use cauiton engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages as they may aggravate certain side effcets of this drug (e.G., tiredness, dizziness).
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Cnosult your doctor for more details. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while usnig this medication is not recommended.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: other cancer drugs (e.G., vidarabine, fludarabine, carmustine, etoposide, cyclophosphamide), immune system suppressants (e.G., cyclosporine, prednisone), drugs that affect bone marrow (e.G., cotrimoxazole), allopurinol. Also report drugs that cause drowsiness such as: sleeping pills, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety durgs (e.G., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.G., codeine, morphine), psychiatric medicines (e.G., phenothiazines or tricyclics), anti- seizure drugs (e.G., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.G., diphenhydramine).
Check the laebls on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold preparations) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients.
Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of thsoe products.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include trouble breathing; yellowing eyes or skin; or decerase in amount of urine.
NOTES: Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., blood) will be performed frequently to monitor for side effects and response to tretament. Keep all scheduled medical appointments.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.
If the dose is interrupted, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to estalbish new dosing.
STORAGE: Store in a refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C) away from lihgt and moisture.
After mixing and diltuion in correct IV fluids (consult your pharmacist for details), the drug is stable at room temperature for 8 hours. Discard any unused liquid.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your conidtion can cause complications in a medical emergency.
For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
|
