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.
How to Use This Medicine:
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through an IV 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
Vidarabine
This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.
Warnings While Using This Medicine:
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 While Using This Medicine:
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
Headache
Mild skin rash or itching
Muscle or joint pain
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
Last Updated: 6/6/2024
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
All rights reserved
A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and chrome browser.