Pentostatin Injection

What is this medication?

PENTOSTATIN (Pen TOE stat in) is a chemotherapy medicine. It treats hairy cell leukemia.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Nipent

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• infection
• kidney disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to pentostatin, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is injected into a vein. It is given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic setting.

Handling this medicine may be harmful.Talk to your health care provider about how to handle this medicine. Special instructions may apply.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your health care provider if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What may interact with this medication?

• allopurinol
• fludarabine
• vidarabine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may need blood work while you are taking this medicine.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their health care provider if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is potential for serious harm to an unborn child. Talk to your health care provider for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions (skin rash; itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• blurred vision OR changes in vision
• heartbeat rhythm changes (trouble breathing; chest pain; dizziness; fast, irregular heartbeat; lightheaded, falls)
• infection (fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain or trouble passing urine)
• kidney injury (trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine)
• low red blood cell counts (trouble breathing; feeling faint; unusually weak or tired)
• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands
• unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• decreased appetite
• diarrhea
• mouth sores
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.