Description
Imetelstat injection is used to treat low to intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in patients with anemia who need blood transfusions and who did not respond, have stopped responding, or cannot receive other medicines (eg, erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)).
This medicine is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Powder for Solution
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of imetelstat injection in the pediatric population.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of imetelstat injection in the elderly.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Proper Use
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through an IV catheter that is placed in one of your veins. It must be given slowly, so the IV should remain in place for at least 2 hours.
You may also receive other medicines (eg, allergy medicine, steroid) 30 minutes before starting treatment with this medicine to help prevent infusion-related reactions.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have questions.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests are needed to check for unwanted effects.
Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before giving you this medicine. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine and for 1 week after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
This medicine may cause infusion-related reactions, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have a fever, chills or shaking, dizziness, trouble breathing, itching or rash, or lightheadedness or fainting after receiving this medicine.
Some female patients who receive this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor if you plan to have children.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Arm or leg pain
- back pain
- black, tarry stools
- bladder pain
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bone pain
- chills
- collection of blood under the skin
- cough or hoarseness
- deep, dark purple bruise
- diarrhea
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- difficulty in moving
- dizziness
- enlarged pupils
- facial swelling
- fainting
- falls
- fast or slow heartbeat
- fever
- fracture
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
- increased sweating, possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin
- itching, pain, redness, or swelling
- joint pain
- lower back or side pain
- muscle or body aches
- muscle stiffness
- nausea
- nervousness
- new loss of taste or smell
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- pounding in the ears
- severe chest pain
- sore throat
- stiff or sore neck
- stomach pain
- stuffy or runny nose
- trouble breathing
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Itching skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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