Romidepsin injection

What is this medicine?

ROMIDEPSIN (ROE mi DEP sin) is a chemotherapy drug. It is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• chest pain

• cough

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• fever or chills, sore throat

• shortness of breath

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting

What may interact with this medicine?

• antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS

• birth control pills

• dexamethasone

• medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole

• medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, bepridil, dofetilide, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine

• medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

• medicines for tuberculosis

• St. John's Wort

• warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• low or high levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood

• an unusual or allergic reaction to romidepsin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for at least 1 month after stopping it. Women should inform their healthcare professional if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine or for at least 1 month after stopping it. There is a potential for serious effects to an unborn child. Talk to your healthcare professional for more information.

Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine or for at least 1 week after stopping it.

This medicine may make it more difficult to get pregnant or to father a child. Talk to your healthcare professional if you are concerned about your fertility.