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Who should not take pentostatin (Nipent)?

Before taking pentostatin, tell your doctor if you

• have had recent vaccinations;
• have any type of infection;
• have liver disease;
• have kidney disease;
• have breathing or respiratory problems;
• have bone marrow problems; or
• have bleeding or blood clotting problems.

You may not be able to take pentostatin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Pentostatin is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that pentostatin is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take pentostatin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with pentostatin.

It is not known whether pentostatin passes into breast milk. Do not take pentostatin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take pentostatin (Nipent)?

Pentostatin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with pentostatin depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with pentostatin to monitor progress and side effects.

Your healthcare provider will store pentostatin as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing pentostatin, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

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