What is Istodax?
Istodax inhibits the growth of cancer cells by blocking certain enzymes.
Istodax, a prescription medication, is used to treat skin T-cell lymphoma. It is given when at least one cancer treatment has failed or stopped working. Istodax may be safe and effective for children younger than 18 years.
Warnings
Tell your doctor before you take Istodax if you suffer from an electrolyte imbalance, have a family or personal history of the "Long QT Syndrome," or if you are suffering from heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
If you are pregnant, do not take Istodax. It may harm an unborn child. Tell your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant while undergoing treatment. Birth control pills, injections, and skin patches may not work well enough to prevent pregnancy while you are on Istodax. Ask your doctor if you can use a method of birth control that is not hormonal (such as a diaphragm or spermicide).
Before you take this drug
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Istodax will be safe for you:
- Heart problems or heart rhythm disorders;
- Long-QT syndrome
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease (especially hepatitis B);
- An electrolyte imbalance can be caused by high or low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood.
- If you have nausea or vomiting,
It may be necessary to perform a pregnancy test seven days prior to starting the treatment. Men who use Istodax are advised to use condoms. Romidepsin may harm a baby when the mother or father is taking this medication.
Continue to use birth control at least one month after you have taken your last pill. Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. Istodax may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills and skin patches. Barrier birth control can be used to prevent pregnancy. These include a condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap.
Istodas may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy for either the mother or father. Men and women both should use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as the medicine can harm a developing baby. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Istodax and for 1 week following your last dose.
Similar/related drugs
Methoxsalen, Romidepsin, Bexarotene, Zolinza, Vorinostat, Belinostat, and Beleodaq
How to take Istodax?
Istodax injections are administered by healthcare providers. The medicine should be taken slowly over a period of 4 hours.
Istodax treatment is divided into 28 days. Only on certain days in this cycle will you receive an injection. While you receive Istodax, other medicines may be prescribed to prevent nausea and vomiting. After each Istodax treatment, drink plenty of fluids for 3 days.
You could get infected more easily. This includes serious infections that can be fatal. You'll need to undergo frequent medical tests. You may need to have your heart function checked with an ECG or electrocardiograph (also called an EKG). You may get hepatitis C again, or it could worsen. You may require liver function tests during your use of Istodax and even for several months afterwards.
Dosing information
Adult dose of Istodax as usual for Cutaneous Lymphoma T-cell:
14 mg/m2 IV every day for 4 hours, on days 1, 8, and 15, of a cycle lasting 28 days; repeat cycle if patient is continuing to benefit from therapy and tolerates it.
Uses: Treatment of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) and peripheral T cell lymphoma in patients with at least one prior systemic treatment.
Adult dose of Istodax:
14 mg/m2 IV every day for 4 hours, on days 1, 8, and 15, of a cycle lasting 28 days; repeat cycle if patient is continuing to benefit from therapy and tolerates it.
Uses: Treatment of cutaneous T cell lymphoma and peripheral T cell lymphoma in patients with at least one prior systemic treatment.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you missed your Istodax appointment, call your doctor to get instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Side effects of Istodax
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat, contact emergency medical assistance.
You can get serious infections or even fatal ones during and after your treatment.
- Fever, flu symptoms, and muscle aches
- Worsening skin symptoms;
- Burning when you urinate
- Feeling short of breath, coughing, or chest discomfort
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Feeling short of breath and having chest pain
- Feeling dizzy or faint?
- Low blood cell counts; fever, chills, and tiredness; mouth sores or skin sores Easy bruising. Unusual bleeding. Pale skin. Cold hands and feet. Feeling light-headed.
- Signs that tumor cells are breaking down: fatigue, weakness, cramps in the muscles, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fast heart rate or a slow heartbeat.
Istodax may cause side effects such as:
- Low blood cell counts and infections
- Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Constipation;
- Itching;
- Tiredness;
- Changes in your sense of taste
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Istodax may cause serious heart problems if taken with other medications for asthma, heart disease, depression, mental illness, or HIV.
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Many drugs interact with romidepsin.
- Dexamethasone, or any other steroid medication;
- John's Wort;
- Antifungal or antibacterial medicine
- Antidepressants are a type of medication.
- A blood thinner (Warfarin Coumadin Jantoven);
- Heart rhythm medicine;
- HIV or AIDS medication
- Seizure medicine;
- Tuberculosis medication
This list is incomplete, and other drugs can interact with romidepsin. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all drug interactions.
