The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Low white blood cells (90%)
- Low platelets (89%)
- Low red blood cells (anemia; 82%)
- Fever (53%)
- Nausea (42%)
- Cough (40%)
- Constipation (35%)
- Diarrhea (34%)
- Higher blood sugar (33%)
- Neutropenic fever (29%)
- Headache (28%)
- Trouble sleeping (28%)
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles (25%)
- Vomiting (25%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Bruising
- Paleness
- Tiredness or low energy
- Shivering
- Rash
- Dizziness
- Joint pain
- Lower appetite
- Low magnesium
- Low potassium
Note: Side effects were reported by people who followed the 3-day treatment regimen for [[EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NAME]]. Side effects and percentages might differ for people who followed the 5-day treatment schedule.
Decitabine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious infection: temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, with or without other symptoms like chills, cough, muscle aches, very fast heartbeat, or confusion
- Bleeding: nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, blood in stool, blood in urine
Source: DailyMed
The following Decitabine side effects have also been reported
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
Black, tarry stools
bladder pain
bleeding after defecation
bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
bloody or cloudy urine
blue lips and fingernails
blurred vision
body aches or pain
chills
congestion
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
decreased urination
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficult, fast, or noisy breathing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
drowsiness
dry mouth or throat
fainting
fast or irregular heartbeat
feeling unusually cold
flushed, dry skin
frequent urge to urinate
fruit-like breath odor
headache
hives or welts, itching, skin rash
hoarseness
increased hunger
increased sweating
increased thirst
increased urination
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
lower back or side pain
mood or mental changes
muscle pain, cramps, spasms, or twitching
nervousness
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
redness or pain at the catheter site
seizures
shivering
small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung when listening with a stethoscope
small red or purple spots on the skin, lips or in the mouth
sore mouth, tongue, or throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sunken eyes
swelling of the face, hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
tightness in the chest
trembling
trouble in swallowing
troubled breathing with exertion
uncomfortable swelling around the anus
unexplained weight loss
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
voice changes
vomiting
weakness or heaviness of the legs
wrinkled skin
yellow eyes or skin
Less common
Collection of blood under the skin
deep, dark purple bruise
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
pain, warmth, or burning in the fingers, toes, and legs
problems with vision or hearing
skin scrape or burn
swelling at the injection site
Incidence not known
Fever sores on the skin
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
back pain
belching
bumps on the skin
chest discomfort
falls
hair loss or thinning of the hair
indigestion
loose stools
muscle stiffness
pain in the arms or legs
pain in joints
stomach discomfort or upset
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
trouble sleeping
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
Less common
Difficulty in moving
general feeling of discomfort or illness
postnasal drip
pressure in the stomach
swollen joints
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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