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Overview: Nipent is used to treat certain people with hairy cell leukemia. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, fever or chills, and tiredness. Serious side effects may include blood disorders and severe rashes. Tell your health care provider right away if you get an infection or think you have an infection while using Nipent. Nipent is given as an injection by a health care provider.

Uses

What is Nipent used for?

Nipent (pentostatin) is commonly used to treat certain people with hairy cell leukemia (HCL), which is a type of blood cancer.

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

How does Nipent work (mechanism of action)?

Nipent is a type of chemotherapy. It works by preventing the DNA in cancer cells from working. This stops the cancer cells from growing and multiplying, which can help slow or stop the spread of cancer.

How is Nipent supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Nipent

Dosage forms and strengths

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

How should I store Nipent?

Nipent 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 Nipent?

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

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever, chills, or muscle aches
  • Rash (see below)
  • Tiredness or weakness
  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Itching
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms

There may be other side effects of Nipent 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 Nipent?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Nipent 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. Nipent can cause blood disorders, such as low red blood cell levels (anemia), low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low neutrophil levels (neutropenia). It is important to go to all appointments for blood tests to ensure Nipent 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 infections
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage may happen when using Nipent. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Rash or Severe Skin Reactions. Nipent can commonly cause rashes, which can sometimes be severe. If you get a rash, call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious rash.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals

Red, painful, watery eyes

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Nipent?

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

  • Nipent
  • Pentostatin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Nipent.

What should I know about Nipent before using it?

Nipent is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

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

If you get an infection or think you have an infection while using Nipent, tell your health care provider right away. Your health care provider may adjust your Nipent treatment if you have an infection.

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

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 Nipent 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.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Nipent may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Nipent, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

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 Nipent. Tell your health care provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Pregnancy. Nipent may cause harm to a fetus. If you can get pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using Nipent. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Nipent passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Nipent.

How can I get more information about Nipent?

For more information about Nipent, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.pfizermedicalinformation.com/patient/nipent or call them at 800-879-3477.

Interactions

Does Nipent interact with foods or drinks?

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

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Nipent, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer. 

Does Nipent interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

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.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Nipent.

  • Allopurinol, which is a medicine commonly used to treat high uric acid levels or gout
  • Carmustine, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, or fludarabine, which are all chemotherapy drugs

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Nipent. Always check with your health care provider.

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 Nipent?

If you or someone else has used too much Nipent, 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 Nipent?

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