Decitabine Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Use two forms of birth control that you can trust 1 month before treatment begins, during treatment, and for at least 1 month after treatment ends.

• If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use two forms of birth control that you can trust 1 month before treatment begins, during treatment, and for at least 2 months after treatment ends.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.

• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

• Fever.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Feeling tired or weak.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Mouth irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Diarrhea.

• High blood sugar.

• Cough.

• Inability to sleep.

• Swelling.

• Not hungry.

• Headache.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe constipation.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.