pentostatin

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Pronunciation: PEN toe stah tin

Brand: Nipent

What is the most important information I should know about pentostatin?

Pentostatin can cause harmful side effects on your kidneys, liver, lungs, or central nervous system. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as: swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating, pink or red urine, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, cough, vision problems, numbness, tingling, or burning pain.

What is pentostatin?

Pentostatin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Pentostatin is used to treat hairy cell leukemia (a type of blood cancer).

Pentostatin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving pentostatin?

You should not use pentostatin if you are allergic to it.

To make sure pentostatin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease;
  • lung disease;
  • any type of infection (including pneumonia); or
  • weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines).

Do not use pentostatin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy during your treatment with pentostatin. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long to prevent pregnancy after your treatment ends.

It is not known whether pentostatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How is pentostatin given?

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely receiving pentostatin.

Pentostatin is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You may need frequent medical tests at your doctor's office to be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. You may also need to have a bone marrow biopsy.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your pentostatin injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving pentostatin?

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using pentostatin. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of pentostatin?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • fever, swollen glands, cold or flu symptoms, blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
  • pale skin, weakness, easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
  • swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating, pain in your side or lower back;
  • red or pink urine;
  • skin sores, severe skin rash;
  • anxiety, sweating, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, gasping for breath, chest pain, fast or uneven heart rate;
  • cough with foamy mucus, cough with yellow or green mucus;
  • eye pain, vision problems; or
  • numbness, tingling, or burning pain.

Common side effects may include:

  • loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting;
  • constipation, diarrhea;
  • joint or muscle pain;
  • headache, dizziness, drowsiness, depressed mood; 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.

What other drugs will affect pentostatin?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with pentostatin, especially:

  • cyclophosphamide;
  • fludarabine; or
  • vidarabine.
  • etoposide;

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with pentostatin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about pentostatin.

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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