Pentostatin (Systemic)
Brand Names : Nipent, 2'-deoxycoformycin, 2'DCF
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pentostatin, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to pentostatin.
Pregnancy - There is a chance that this medicine may cause birth
defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception
or if it is taken during pregnancy. Pentostatin has been shown to cause birth
defects in rats and mice. In addition, many cancer medicines may cause sterility
which could be permanent. Although sterility has not been reported with this
medicine, it does occur in animals and the possibility should be kept in mind. Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this
medicine. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are receiving
pentostatin. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant
while receiving pentostatin.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether pentostatin passes into
breast milk. However, because this medicine may cause serious side effects,
breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.
Children - There is no specific information comparing use of
pentostatin in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information
comparing use of pentostatin in the elderly with use in other adults, this
medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older
people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving
pentostatin, it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone) or
-
Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) or
-
Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
-
Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
-
Colchicine or
-
Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon) or
-
Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene) or
-
Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A) or
-
Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
-
Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir) or
-
If you have ever been treated with x-rays or cancer medicines - Pentostatin
may increase the effects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood
-
Probenecid (e.g., Benemid) or
-
Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane) - Pentostatin may raise the amount
of uric acid in the blood. Since these medicines are used to lower uric acid
levels, they may not be as effective in patients receiving pentostatin
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of pentostatin. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
-
Herpes zoster (shingles) - Risk of severe disease affecting other
parts of the body
-
Gout (history of) or
-
Kidney stones (history of) - Pentostatin may increase levels
of uric acid in the body, which can cause gout or kidney stones
-
Infection - Pentostatin may decrease your body's ability to fight
infection
-
Kidney disease - Effects of pentostatin may be increased because
of slower removal from the body
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