Pentostatin Side Effects

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Common Side Effects

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.