Uses
Romidepsin injection is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL; a group of cancers of the immune system that first appear as skin rashes) in people who have already been treated with at least one other medication. Romidepsin injection is also used to treat peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL; a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) in people who have already been treated with at least one other medication. Romidepsin injection is in a class of medications called histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. It works by slowing the growth of cancer cells.
Side Effects Of Romidepsin Injection
Romidepsin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- stomach pain
- mouth sores
- headache
- changed sense of taste
- loss of appetite
- itching
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- tiredness or weakness
- pale skin
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- irregular heartbeat
- feeling dizzy or faint
- easy bruising or bleeding
- fever, cough, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, burning on urination, worsening skin problems, and other signs of infection (may occur up to 30 days after your treatment)
- rash
- blistering or peeling skin
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- Romidepsin injection may cause fertility problems. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving this medication if you would like to have children.
Romidepsin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving romidepsin injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to romidepsin injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in romidepsin injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the patient information for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and telithromycin (Ketek); anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the U.S.); dexamethasone; medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (in Kaletra, Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex), and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin); nefazodone; pimozide (Orap); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, in Rifamate, in Rifater, Rimactane); rifapentine (Priftin); sparfloxacin (Zagam); or thioridazine (Mellaril). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with romidepsin injection, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
- tell your doctor if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea before you begin your treatment with romidepsin injection. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), an irregular or fast heartbeat, too much or too little potassium or magnesium in your blood, hepatitis B (HBV; a virus that infects the liver and may cause severe liver damage or liver cancer), Epstein Barr virus (EBV; a herpes virus that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with certain cancers), or liver, kidney, or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Your doctor may check to see if you are pregnant before you begin your treatment. You should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with romidepsin injection and for at least one month after your final dose. However, you should not use hormonal (estrogen) contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, or injections) because romidepsin injection may stop these medications from working as they should. If you are a male with a female partner who could become pregnant, be sure to use birth control during your treatment with romidepsin injection and for at least one month after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use. If you become pregnant while receiving romidepsin injection, call your doctor. Romidepsin injection may harm the fetus. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with romidepsin injection and for at least 1 week after your final dose.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving romidepsin injection.
Romidepsin Injection Dosage
Romidepsin injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over a 4-hour period by a doctor or nurse. It is usually given on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. This cycle may be repeated as long as the medication continues to work and does not cause severe side effects.
Talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience during your treatment with romidepsin injection. If you experience certain severe side effects, your doctor may stop your treatment permanently or temporarily and/or may decrease your dose.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to romidepsin injection.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about romidepsin injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
