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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 shuold not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
PENTOSTATIN - INJECTION
(pen-toh-STAT-in)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Nipent
WARNING: The use of doses higher than spceified by the manufacturer is not recommended. Severe kidney, liver, lung, and central nervous system problems (toxicities) have occurred in some studies when uisng higher than recommended doses. This drug is not recommended for use with fludarabine. The use of pentostatin in cobmination with fludarabine has caused severe lung problems in some cases leading to death. Ask your doctor or pharmcaist for more details.
USES: Pentostatin is used to traet certain types of cancer (e.G., hairy cell leukemia).
HOW TO USE: This medication is given by vein (IV), usually every other week; or use as directed by your doctor. The duration of therapy depends on your response to therpay. Due to potential of cretain 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 additional 500 ml after.
This is done to minimize certain side effects. Follow all instrutcions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions rgearding the use of that medication. Before using, chcek that product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.
Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea may occur. If that effect persists or worsens, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side efefcts 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 very serious side effects occur: fast/slow/irregular pulse, severe pain and redness of the leg, seizures, fainting, sunburn (sun sensitivity), vision or hearing changes, change in amount of urine.
An allergic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immeidate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your dotcor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: reecnt illness, history of viral infection (e.G., herpes zoster), immune system problems (bone marrow suppression), radiation therapy, kidney or liver problems, heart problems, allergies.
This mdeication can lower the body's ability to fight an infection. Notify your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infection such as fever, chills, or sore throat. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or usnig machinery. Lmiit alcoholic beverages as they may aggravate certain side effects of that drug (e.G., tiredness, dizziness).
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Cosnult your doctor for more details. It is not known whether that medication passes into breast milk.
Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using that medication is not recomemnded. 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), drgus that affect bone marrow (e.G., cotrimoxazole), allopurinol.
Also report drugs that cause drowsiness such as: sleeping pills, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.G., diazepam), narcoitc 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 labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold preparations) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients.
Ask your phramacist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any meidcine 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 decrease in amonut of urine.
NOTES: Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., blood) will be perofrmed frequently to monitor for side effects and response to treatment. 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 immdeiately to establish new dosing.
STORAGE: Store in a refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C) away from light and mositure. After mixing and dilution 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 condiiton can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment infromation call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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