Pentostatin Disease Interactions

Because of their cytotoxic effects on rapidly proliferating tissues, antineoplastic agents frequently can, to varying extent, induce myelosuppression. The use of these drugs may be contraindicated in patients with known infectious diseases. All patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.

Pentostatin can induce myelosuppression, primarily during the initial courses of therapy. Disease status, including a bone marrow examination, should be determined if severe neutropenia continues. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression such as fever, sore throat, local infection, bleeding or symptoms of anemia. Therapy with pentostatin should be administered cautiously in patients with bone marrow suppression. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is necessary.

Pentostatin is primarily eliminated by the kidney and is a nephrotoxic drug. Approximately 90% of pentostatin is excreted as unchanged drug and/or metabolites in the urine. Pentostatin clearance is reduced and half-life is increased considerably in patients with moderate renal impairment. Patients with impaired renal function should be treated only when the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. Therapy should be administered cautiously and close clinical monitoring of renal function is recommended prior to initiating therapy and before each dose.