Decitabine is a chemotherapy drug used to manage myelodysplastic syndrome (a type of blood or bone marrow cancer), says Drugs.com. It works to prevent metastasis (spread) of cancer cells to the rest of your body. Decitabine is typically given every eight hours for three days. Depending on the progression of your cancer, your doctor may schedule more decitabine treatments.
Prevalent Side Effects
Decitabine is a toxic medication that causes a wide variety of harmful reactions in your body. It can cause digestive system problems such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain and vomiting, states MedlinePlus. In some cases you may develop an intense burning pain in your chest that may move up your esophagus and lead to regurgitation of food or liquid. This is medically known as acid reflux.
Decitabine can affect the way you look and cause hair loss, pale skin, red spots on your skin and a rash.
Other routine side effects include fatigue, headaches, tachycardia (fast heartbeats), trouble sleeping and sores in your mouth, tongue or lips. It can also cause swelling of your extremities and pain and swelling at the injection site. Call your doctor if any of these side effects continue.
Dangerous Side Effects
Sometimes decitabine can cause potentially life-threatening side effects. It can cause such flu-like symptoms as fevers, body aches and chills. Decitabine can also affect your blood cell production and lead to low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). This makes you susceptible to bruising and easy bleeding. MedlinePlus says that decitabine can also cause trouble breathing, hives, severe hunger or thirst and weakness.
Miscellaneous Concerns
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Decitabine can harm your baby. It is important to know that men taking decitabine can develop abnormal sperm. This can also lead to a baby with birth defects.
Avoid decitabine if you are allergic to it. You can develop trouble breathing and swelling of your face, tongue or lips.
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