Decitabine

Decitabine is used in the treatment of blood cancer called acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). It is also used to treat patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It may be used to treat other conditions, as determined by the doctor.

Decitabine is also used with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy. It is given as an injection into the vein under the supervision of a doctor. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever and lung infection. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver, and blood uric acid levels.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Blood cancer

Myelodysplastic syndrome
Decitabine is used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome, a group of conditions in which the bone marrow produces blood cells that are abnormal in structure and function, and does not produce enough healthy blood cells. Decitabine kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is an effective, yet very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Blood cancer
Blood cancer, also called leukemia, is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, that decreases the body's ability to fight infection. Decitabine kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is an effective medicine but you should discuss the side effects and benefits of this medicine with your doctor. Let your doctor know if any of the side effects bothers you.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Decima

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Fever
• Lung infection
• Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
• Nosebleeds
• Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
• Low blood platelets
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Decitabine interferes with the growth of DNA and RNA of the cancer cells by substituting their building blocks. It prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

• Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine.
• Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, rash or severe diarrhea.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 364.

Decitabine. High Wycombe, Bucks: Janssen-Cilag Ltd.; 2012 [revised 07 Feb. 2019]. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Decitabine. Netherlands: Pharmachemie B.V.; 2006 [revised date]. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: