Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) in adults, as well as other forms of myelodysplastic syndrome (disorders in which the bone marrow creates blood cells that are malformed and not enough healthy blood cells), are all treated with the drug combination of decitabine and cedazuridine. The drug decitabine belongs to the group of drugs known as hypomethylation agents. It functions by eradicating aberrant cells from the bone marrow and assisting in the production of healthy blood cells. Cedazuridine belongs to the group of drugs known as cytidine deaminase inhibitors. To make the drug work better, it helps to enhance the body’s supply of decitabine.

Decitabine and cedazuridine are packaged as a tablet for oral consumption. Typically, it is taken for the first five days of a 28-day cycle on an empty stomach. 2 hours before and 2 hours after each dose, avoid eating anything. Your doctor may advise repeating the 28-day cycle regimen depending on how your body reacts to the medicine. Typically, treatment should last for at least 4 cycles, but it may be extended if your doctor determines that you will benefit from more care.

Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole.

Do not take another dose of cedazuridine or decitabine if you vomit after taking them. Continue taking your medication as usual.

Before you receive each dosage of decitabine and cedazuridine, your doctor will prescribe medication to prevent nausea and vomiting.

If you have certain adverse effects, your doctor may lower your dose or temporarily or permanently stop your therapy. Throughout your decitabine and cedazuridine treatment, be sure to let your doctor know how you are feeling.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your chemist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking decitabine and cedazuridine,

• If you have any allergies, including to decitabine, cedazuridine, other drugs, or any of the substances in decitabine and cedazuridine tablets, notify your doctor right away. Get a list of the ingredients from your chemist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• If you have kidney or liver problems now or in the past, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you intend to father a child, are already pregnant, or think you could become pregnant. You must perform a pregnancy test before beginning therapy if you are a female, and you must use birth control to avoid getting pregnant while receiving treatment and for at least six months after your last dose. When using decitabine with cedazuridine, as well as for three months following the last dose, male patients should take effective birth control with their female partners. Call your doctor if you or your partner becomes pregnant while taking this medicine. The foetus may be harmed by cedazuridine and decitabine.
• If you are breastfeeding, let your doctor know. While using decitabine and cedazuridine as well as for two weeks following your last dose, refrain from breastfeeding.
• You should be aware that this drug may reduce male fertility. Ask your doctor about the dangers of using cedazuridine and decitabine.
• Inform the surgeon or dentist that you are taking cedazuridine and decitabine if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Take the missed dose on an empty stomach as soon as you remember it if it hasn’t been more than 12 hours since your usual dose. Skip the missed dosage if it has been more than 12 hours and carry on with your regular dosing plan to finish the cycle’s 5 daily doses. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Cedazuridine and detabine may have negative side effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Extreme fatigue
• Light skin
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Slim down
• Reduced appetite
• Muscular or joint ache
• Dizziness
• Sliding lower
• Headache
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Lips, tongue, or mouth sores that are uncomfortable
• Swelling of the stomach, lower legs, ankles, hands, or other body parts
• Discomfort, tingling, and numbness in the hands or feet

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Bodily aches, a cough, a fever, or other symptoms of illness
• Bleeding gums, unusual bruising or bleeding, or nasal bleeds
• Hammering or rapid heartbeat
• Breathing difficulty
• Rash

Cedazuridine and detabine may also have other adverse effects. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s reaction to decitabine and cedazuridine, your doctor will order specific lab tests both before and during your therapy.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.