USES
Cedazuridine and decitabine (Inqovi) is administered orally in tablets, thus it is not as inconvenient as intravenous chemotherapy.
Oral Tablet Route:
Dosage: Administration of the prescribed number of tablets once daily for 5 consecutive days. It is primarily given during the first cycle, and the regimen is repeated in most cases every 4 weeks.
Food Interactions: Cedazuridine and decitabine can be given with or without food.
Missed Dose: If the patient missed a dose, then she should take it as soon as possible during the day. If the time to take the next dose has approached, then skip the missed dose and go back to the regular schedule. Never take two doses at the same time.
WORKING
Cedazuridine and decitabine work together to target and treat abnormal blood cell production seen in certain cancers like MDS and AML.
Cedazuridine: In this combination, Cedazuridine will act as an inhibitor to cytidine deaminase, which usually acts in the liver and other parts of the body to metabolize decitabine. By inhibiting it, cedazuridine helps in increasing the bioavailability of decitabine within the bloodstream, making the drug to last for a longer period.
Decitabine: Decitabine works by a process called hypomethylating DNA, which consists of the removal of abnormally methylated DNA. This can cause tumor-suppressing genes to be muted. In MDS and AML, abnormal DNA methylation usually causes genes that oversee normal blood cell production to mute. Decitabine, therefore, restores the activity of those genes, thus enabling the marrow to produce healthy blood cells. It is also cytocidal on rapidly multiplying cancer cells, which in turn contributes to the curative effects of this drug in these conditions.
Together, the combination of cedazuridine and decitabine addresses the root problem of abnormal gene expression in MDS and AML and improves the efficacy and convenience of treatment.
SIDE EFFECTS
Common adverse effects of cedazuridine and decitabine are:
Bone Marrow Suppression: Reduced blood cell counts leading to anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. These might lead to bleeding and bruising and increase susceptibility to infections.
Gastrointestinal Problems: The patient is likely to have nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
Fatigue: The patient often claims to be weak or tired as a result of the therapy.
Fever: Mild fever can be caused because of the body’s immune response toward the therapy.
Serious reactions include severe bone marrow suppression and life-threatening infections, thus careful watch by health care professionals is crucial during therapy.
WARNINGS
Bone Marrow Suppression: Cedazuridine and decitabine can significantly suppress bone marrow function, putting a patient at risk of serious infections, anemia, and bleeding. Blood tests are performed frequently to check blood cell counts.
Infections: Because of reduced white blood cell counts, patients undergoing this treatment are at risk for infection. Infection should be immediately reported to a healthcare provider.
Liver Function: Cedazuridine and decitabine are metabolized in the liver, and patients with pre-existing liver conditions may require dose adjustments and close monitoring.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Cedazuridine and decitabine should be avoided during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. It is also unknown if these medications are excreted in breast milk, so breastfeeding should be avoided during treatment.
INTERACTIONS
This is the cedazuridine and decitabine with others including drugs such as.
Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: The combination of cedazuridine and decitabine with other cytotoxic agents may enhance the risk for side effects, including myelosuppression.
Other Enzyme Inhibitors: Since cedazuridine acts through cytidine deaminase inhibition, other drugs that influence the activities of liver enzymes could modulate decitabine metabolism and its efficacy or toxicity profile.
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Drugs: Because decitabine impacts the bone marrow and platelet production, taking it with blood thinners may increase the risk of bleeding complications.
Patients should notify their healthcare providers about all medications, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and any other cancer treatments, to avoid harmful interactions.
DOSAGE
The general dosage guidelines for cedazuridine and decitabine are:
Adults with MDS or AML:
35 mg of cedazuridine and 15 mg of decitabine once daily for 5 consecutive days during the first cycle, followed by 5 days of treatment every 4 weeks thereafter.
Dosage adjustments may be made based on blood counts, liver function, and side effects experienced during treatment.
PRESCRIPTION
Cedazuridine and decitabine (Inqovi) is available only by prescription, as it is a cancer treatment that requires careful management and monitoring by a healthcare provider. Patients are typically monitored closely for blood cell counts, liver function, and other potential side effects during treatment.
FAQ's
1. What are Cedazuridine and Decitabine?
They are cancer medications used together to treat certain blood cancers by inhibiting DNA methylation.
2. How do Cedazuridine and Decitabine work?
Decitabine disrupts DNA methylation to reactivate tumor suppressor genes; Cedazuridine increases Decitabine’s oral bioavailability by inhibiting its breakdown.
3. What conditions are treated with Cedazuridine and Decitabine?
They are primarily used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).
4. How are Cedazuridine and Decitabine administered?
As a fixed-dose oral tablet combination taken once daily for several days per treatment cycle.
5. Can Cedazuridine and Decitabine be taken orally?
Yes, the combination is designed for oral administration, improving convenience over intravenous Decitabine.
6. What are the common side effects of Cedazuridine and Decitabine?
Low blood counts, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and infection risk are common.
7. Is dosage adjustment needed in kidney or liver impairment?
Dose adjustments may be necessary; consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
8. How long is a typical treatment cycle?
Usually 5 consecutive days every 28 days, but this depends on the patient’s condition and doctor’s recommendation.
9. Can Cedazuridine and Decitabine be used in children?
Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients have not been established.
10. Are there any drug interactions with Cedazuridine and Decitabine?
Yes, especially with medications that affect bone marrow or liver enzymes; always inform your doctor about all medications.
11. What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take it as soon as remembered unless it’s nearly time for the next dose; do not double dose.
12. How are Cedazuridine and Decitabine different from other chemotherapy drugs?
They specifically target DNA methylation, a different mechanism from many traditional chemotherapies.
13. What monitoring is required during treatment?
Regular blood tests and clinical evaluations to monitor blood counts and side effects.
14. Can Cedazuridine and Decitabine be used with other cancer therapies?
Combination with other therapies depends on the treatment plan; consult your oncologist.
15. Are there any special storage requirements?
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
16. How soon do patients typically see treatment effects?
It varies; some improvements in blood counts may appear within a few treatment cycles.
17. Is Cedazuridine and Decitabine treatment curative?
Usually not curative but can help control disease and improve quality of life.
18. Can patients work or carry out daily activities during treatment?
Many patients maintain daily activities but should avoid infections and attend regular check-ups.
19. Is Cedazuridine safe during pregnancy?
No; it may harm an unborn baby and effective contraception is advised during treatment.
20. How is treatment response assessed?
Through blood tests, bone marrow exams, and clinical evaluation by the healthcare provider.