Pentostatin (By injection)
pen-toe-STAT-in
Treats cancer, including hairy cell leukemia.
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Pentostatin belongs to the group of medicines called antimetabolites. It is used to treat a type of cancer of the white blood cells called hairy cell leukemia. This medicine may be used in patients with hairy cell leukemia who have already been treated with other medicines (e.g., alpha-interferon) that did not work well.
Pentostatin interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by pentostatin, other effects may also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with pentostatin, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
This medicine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, pentostatin is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Cancers of the lymph system (a part of the body’s immune system), including a type that affects the skin.
Chronic graft versus host disease, in corticosteroid-refractory (steroids not effective to treat condition) pediatric patients.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not use fludarabine while you are using this medicine.
Some medicines can affect how pentostatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Allopurinol Carmustine Cyclophosphamide Etoposide VidarabineThis medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to pentostatin or if you are pregnant.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, low blood pressure, or any type of infection.
Do not breastfeed while you are being given this medicine.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Cancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Confusion, extreme tiredness, fainting, or drowsiness
Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, or body aches
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Swelling in your hands, ankles, feet, or face
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas, stomach pain
Mild skin rash or itching
Nervousness, depression, trouble sleeping
Pain, redness, or swelling where the needle is placed
Tooth pain, swelling in your gums, mouth sores
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Nipent, Novaplus Nipent
There may be other brand names for this medicine.