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Overview: Decitabine is used to treat certain myelodysplastic syndromes. Common side effects include blood disorders, fever, tiredness, and nausea. Tell your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of an infection or bleeding. Decitabine is given as an injection by a health care provider.

Uses

What is decitabine used for?

Decitabine is commonly used to treat certain myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which are a group of conditions where your bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells.

Decitabine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does decitabine work (mechanism of action)?

Decitabine is chemotherapy. It works by helping your bone marrow make normal blood cells and by destroying, or killing, blood cells that are multiplying too quickly.

How is decitabine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Dacogen

Dosage forms and strengths

Decitabine is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store decitabine?

Decitabine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of decitabine?

The most common side effects of decitabine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Cough
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea

There may be other side effects of decitabine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of decitabine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of decitabine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Decitabine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Disorders. Decitabine can cause blood disorders, such as low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia) and low neutrophil levels (neutropenia). It is important to go to all appointments for blood work to make sure decitabine is safe for you. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use decitabine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use decitabine.

  • Dacogen
  • Decitabine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific decitabine products they stock.

What should I know about decitabine before using it?

Decitabine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. It is given as an infusion into a vein (IV).

It is important to attend all appointments for blood work with your health care provider. They will use these tests to monitor your body’s response to decitabine and make sure it is safe for you to continue using the medicine. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using decitabine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if decitabine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems

Pregnancy. Decitabine may cause harm to an unborn baby. Your health care provider will do a test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting decitabine. If you can get pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using decitabine and for six months after your last dose. If you are able to get a partner pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using decitabine and for three months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if decitabine passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while using decitabine and for at least two weeks after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Vaccines. Talk with your health care provider about any vaccines that you may need. You may not be able to receive certain vaccines right before or while using decitabine. Tell your health care provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Interactions

Does decitabine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between decitabine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect decitabine.

Does decitabine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Decitabine may interact with certain other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much decitabine?

If you or someone else has used too much decitabine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of decitabine?

Decitabine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving decitabine as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your decitabine dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.