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Pentostatin Side Effects

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Click on an icon to view.Pentostatin has been studied extensively in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people given pentostatin were carefully documented and compared with reactions that occurred in a similar group of people given another chemotherapy medicine. As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the other medicine.
In clinical studies, the most common pentostatin side effects included:
- Nausea and/or vomiting -- in up to 63 percent of people
- Low white blood cell counts, which could increase the risk for infections (see Chemotherapy and Infections) -- up to 60 percent
- Fever -- up to 46 percent
- Rash -- up to 43 percent
- Fatigue -- up to 42 percent
- Infections -- up to 36 percent
- Anemia (low red blood cells) -- up to 35 percent (see Chemotherapy and Anemia)
- A decrease in platelets, which could increase the risk for bleeding (see Blood Clotting Problems and Chemotherapy) -- up to 32 percent
- Itching -- up to 21 percent
- Coughing -- up to 20 percent
- Pain -- up to 20 percent.
Other common reactions, occurring in 1 percent to 19 percent of people, included:
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Decreased appetite
- Upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold
- Lack of strength or energy
- Sores and inflammation of the mouth and throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Increased sweating
- Joint pain
- Skin problems, such as a rash, dry skin, acne, or skin discoloration
- Increased liver enzymes, which could be a sign of liver problems
- Nervous system problems, which may include but are not limited to:
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling of the hands or feet
- Problems with memory.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD