Note: This document contains side effect information about pentostatin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Nipent.
Summary
Common side effects of Nipent include: skin rash. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to pentostatin: intravenous powder for solution.
Warning
Intravenous route (Powder for Solution)
Pentostatin should be administered under the supervision of a physician qualified and experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. The use of doses higher than those specified is not recommended. Dose-limiting severe renal, liver, pulmonary, and CNS toxicities occurred in Phase 1 studies that used pentostatin at higher doses (20 to 50 mg/m(2) in divided doses over 5 days) than recommended. In a clinical investigation in patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia using pentostatin at the recommended dose in combination with fludarabine phosphate, 4 of 6 patients entered in the study had severe or fatal pulmonary toxicity. The use of pentostatin in combination with fludarabine phosphate is not recommended.
Serious side effects of Nipent
Along with its needed effects, pentostatin (the active ingredient contained in Nipent) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Serious side effects of Nipent
Along with its needed effects, pentostatin may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. Your doctor may watch for others by doing certain tests.
Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking pentostatin:
More common
- Cough or hoarseness
- fever or chills
- lower back or side pain
- pain
- painful or difficult urination
- skin rash or itching (sudden)
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Anxiety or nervousness
- black, tarry stools
- blood in the urine or stools
- changes in vision
- chest pain
- confusion
- cramps in lower legs
- mental depression
- nosebleed
- numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- shortness of breath
- sleepiness
- sore, red eyes
- sores in the mouth or on the lips
- stomach pain
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- trouble with sleeping
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Other side effects of Nipent
Some side effects of pentostatin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Diarrhea
- headache
- loss of appetite
- muscle pain
- nausea and vomiting
- skin rash
Less common
- Back pain
- bloating or gas
- constipation
- dry skin
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- itching
- joint pain
- weakness
- weight loss
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to pentostatin: intravenous powder for injection.
Hematologic
Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia (22%), thrombocytopenia, anemia, blood disorder, eosinophilia, hypochromic pancytopenia
Common (1% to 10%): Agranulocytosis, acute leukemia, febrile neutropenia, ecchymosis, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hemorrhage, agranulocytosis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pure red cell aplasia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, anemia-hemolytic, aplastic anemia hemolytic uremic syndrome, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura
Rare (less than 0.1%): Autoimmune thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea/vomiting (63%), diarrhea (17%), abdominal pain (16%), stomatitis (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Oral candidiasis, perianal abscess, dental abnormalities, dyspepsia, flatulence, gingivitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute gastroenteritis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Esophageal candidiasis
Frequency not reported: Constipation, dysphagia, glossitis, ileus[Ref]
Dermatologic
Very common (10% or more): Rash (43%), pruritus (21%)
Common (1% to 10%): Furunculosis, abscess skin, mycotic skin infection, sweating, skin disorder, face edema, dry skin urticaria[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Hepatic disorder, elevated liver function tests
Frequency not reported: Kidney function abnormal, nephropathy[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cystitis
Frequency not reported: Amenorrhea, breast lump, impotence[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Cough (20%), upper respiratory infection (13%), rhinitis (11%), dyspnea (11%), pharyngitis
Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, E. coli pneumonia, fungal pneumonia, asthma
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary aspergillosis
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, larynx edema[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (17%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, paresthesia
Frequency not reported: Amnesia, ataxia, convulsions, dysarthria, encephalitis, hyperkinesia, meningism, neuralgia, neuritis, neuropathy, paralysis, syncope, twitching, vertigo[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, hypotension
Frequency not reported: Angina pectoris, arrhythmia, A-V block, bradycardia, extrasystoles ventricular, heart arrest, heart failure, hypertension, pericardial effusion, phlebitis, pulmonary embolus, sinus arrest, tachycardia, thrombophlebitis deep, vasculitis[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis
Frequency not reported: Amblyopia, dry eyes, labyrinthitis, lacrimation disorder, nonreactive eye, photophobia, retinopathy, abnormal vision, watery eyes[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Very common (10% or more): Myalgia (19%)
Common (1% to 10%): Osteomyelitis, arthralgia
Frequency not reported: Arthritis, gout[Ref]
Metabolic
Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (13%)
Common (1% to 10%): Neurologic disorder, CNS/CNS toxicity
Frequency not reported: Hypercalcemia, hyponatremia[Ref]
Immunologic
Very common (10% or more): Viral infection
Common (1% to 10%): (Herpes zoster, infection unspecified), cellulitis, bacterial infection, herpes simplex, sepsis, septic shock, staphylococcal infection, Graft versus host disease
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Clostridium difficile colitis, cytomegalovirus infection, graft failure
Frequency not reported: Influenza-like symptoms[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, insomnia, somnolence, anxiety, depression, nervousness
Frequency not reported: decrease/loss libido, emotional lability, hallucination, hostility, neurosis, thinking abnormal, dreaming abnormal[Ref]
Oncologic
Common (1% to 10%): Neoplasms, skin carcinoma
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tumor lysis syndrome
Frequency not reported: Acute leukemia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Fever (46%), fatigue (42%), chills (19%), asthenia (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Pain, peripheral edema
Frequency not reported: Hangover effect, deafness, earache, tinnitus, unusual taste[Ref]
Renal
Common (1% to 10%): Urosepsis, elevated creatinine
Frequency not reported: Renal failure, renal insufficiency, renal stone[Ref]
