Decitabine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 29, 2024.

Applies to decitabine: intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. It may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 6 months after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 3 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Cancer medicines can cause nausea or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these side effects.

Decitabine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before receiving this medicine. Some men receiving this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

Serious side effects of decitabine

Along with its needed effects, decitabine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking decitabine:

Other side effects of decitabine

Some side effects of decitabine 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to decitabine: intravenous powder for injection.

Hematologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (90%), thrombocytopenia (89%), anemia (68%), febrile neutropenia (29%), leukopenia (28%), lymphadenopathy (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocythemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pancytopenia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (42%), constipation (35%), diarrhea (34%), vomiting (25%), abdominal pain (14%), oral mucosal petechiae (13%), stomatitis (12%), dyspepsia (12%), ascites (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Gingival bleeding, hemorrhoids, loose stools, tongue ulceration, dysphagia, oral soft tissue disorder, lip ulceration, abdominal distension, upper abdominal pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease, glossodynia
• Frequency not reported: Enterocolitis (including neutropenic colitis, cecitis)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (40%), pneumonia (24%), pharyngitis (16%), epistaxis (14%), lung crackles (14%), breath sounds decreased (10%), hypoxia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis, rales, postnasal drip
• Frequency not reported: Interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (53%), peripheral edema (25%), rigors (22%), edema (18%), pain (13%), lethargy (12%), tenderness (11%), blood alkaline phosphatase increased (11%), blood urea increased (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Fall, chest wall pain, intermittent pyrexia, malaise, crepitations, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, blood albumin decreased, blood bicarbonate increased, blood chloride decreased, decreased total protein, blood bilirubin decreased^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hyperglycemia (33%), hypoalbuminemia (24%), hypomagnesemia (24%), hypokalemia (22%), hyponatremia (19%), appetite decreased (16%), anorexia (16%), hyperkalemia (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (28%), dizziness (18%), hypoesthesia (11%)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (28%), confusion (12%), anxiety (11%)^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Bacterial, viral, fungal infections (63%), candida infection (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Septic shock, sepsis, staphylococcal infection, oral candidiasis, bacteremia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Ecchymosis (22%), rash (19%), erythema (14%), cellulitis (12%) skin lesion (11%), pruritus (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Alopecia, urticaria, swelling face
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (20%), pain in limb (19%), back pain (17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest wall pain, musculoskeletal discomfort, myalgia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Petechiae (39%), pallor (23%), cardiac murmur (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary edema, hypotension, hematoma^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Hyperbilirubinemia (14%)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity including anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysuria, urinary frequency

.^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site erythema, injection site pain, injection site swelling^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Decitabine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer