Decitabine (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 27, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Dacogen

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Antimetabolite

Uses for decitabine

Decitabine injection is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature and do not become healthy blood cells. It also treats certain types of anemia. Decitabine is an antineoplastic (cancer medicine).

Decitabine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using decitabine

In 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 decitabine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to decitabine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of decitabine injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of decitabine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of decitabine than younger adults.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with 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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of decitabine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Infection—May decrease your body's ability to fight an infection.

Proper use of decitabine

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving decitabine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you decitabine...