Pricing
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All price changes →Indications & Uses
Decitabine-Sun is used to treat adults with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). This covers MDS that has been treated before and MDS that has not, and both de novo and secondary MDS. It applies to all French-American-British subtypes: refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. It is also used across the intermediate-1, intermediate-2 and high-risk International Prognostic Scoring System groups.
Pharmacology
Decitabine is believed to work against cancer cells after it has been phosphorylated and built directly into DNA. Once it is in the DNA, it inhibits DNA methyltransferase. This causes hypomethylation of DNA, and the cell then goes on to differentiate or undergo apoptosis. In vitro, it inhibits DNA methylation at concentrations that do not cause major suppression of DNA synthesis. In neoplastic cells, the hypomethylation may restore normal function to genes that are critical for the control of cellular differentiation and proliferation. In rapidly dividing cells, its cytotoxicity may also come from covalent adducts that form between DNA methyltransferase and the drug already incorporated into DNA. Non-proliferating cells are relatively insensitive to decitabine.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Three day regimen: give DACOGEN at a dose of 15 mg/m2 as a continuous intravenous infusion over 3 hours, repeated every 8 hours for 3 days. Repeat the cycle every 6 weeks once the blood counts have recovered (ANC at least 1,000/µL and platelets at least 50,000/µL), for a minimum of 4 cycles. A complete or partial response may take longer than 4 cycles. Delay the dose and reduce it if there is hematologic toxicity.
Five day regimen: give DACOGEN at a dose of 20 mg/m2 as a continuous intravenous infusion over 1 hour daily for 5 days. Delay and reduce the dose for hematologic toxicity (see Dose Modifications for Toxicity). Repeat the cycle every 4 weeks once the blood counts have recovered (ANC at least 1,000/µL and platelets at least 50,000/µL), for a minimum of 4 cycles. A complete or partial response may take longer than 4 cycles.
Side Effects
With Decitabine, the most common side effects (seen in more than 50% of people) are neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and pyrexia.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia Decitabine can lower the white cell and platelet counts, so complete blood counts and platelet counts should be done. Embryo-fetal toxicity Decitabine can harm an unborn baby. Patients who can have children should be told about the possible risk to the fetus, and they should use effective contraception.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Decitabine can harm an unborn baby if it is given to a pregnant woman. This comes from human data and animal studies, and also from how the medicine works in the body. Mothers should not breastfeed while on it. Nobody knows yet whether decitabine or its metabolites pass into human milk, what effect they might have on a breastfed child, or whether they change milk production.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Storage
Store Decitabine below 25°C, and keep it away from light and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Common questions about Decitabine-Sun 50 mg
What is Decitabine-Sun 50 mg IV Injection?
Decitabine-Sun 50 mg IV Injection is a medicine that contains Decitabine. It is made by Sun Pharmaceutical (Bangladesh) Ltd.
What is Decitabine-Sun used for?
Decitabine-Sun is used to treat adults with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). This covers MDS that has been treated before and MDS that has not, and both de novo and secondary MDS.
What are the side effects of Decitabine-Sun?
With Decitabine, the most common side effects (seen in more than 50% of people) are neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and pyrexia.
Can I take Decitabine-Sun during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Decitabine can harm an unborn baby if it is given to a pregnant woman. This comes from human data and animal studies, and also from how the medicine works in the body. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How should I store Decitabine-Sun?
Store Decitabine below 25°C, and keep it away from light and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Do I need a prescription for Decitabine-Sun?
Decitabine-Sun is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.