Beleodaq : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?
Beleodaq (Belinostat) is used to treat peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL; a form of cancer that begins in a certain type of cell in the immune system) that has not improved or has come back after treatment with other medications. Beleodaq belongs to a class of medications called histone deacetylase inhibitors. It works by killing cancer cells.

How should this medicine be used?
Beleodaq (Belinostat) comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. It is usually administered over a 30-minute period once a day on days 1 to 5 of a 21-day cycle. Your treatment will likely continue until your condition worsens or develops serious side effects.

Your doctor may need to adjust your dose or stop your treatment if you experience certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you feel during your treatment with Beleodaq injection.

Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving Beleodaq injection,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Beleodaq injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Beleodaq injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take or use. Be sure to mention any of the following: indinavir (Crixivan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • Tell your doctor if you have previously been treated with other chemotherapy drugs or if you have or think you may have some type of infection now. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while receiving Beleodaq injection. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while receiving Beleodaq injection, call your doctor immediately. Beleodaq injection can harm the fetus.
  • If you are going to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving Beleodaq injection.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Beleodaq injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • headache
  • tiredness
  • decreased appetite
  • pain at the injection site
  • swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • fever, cough, chills, muscle aches, flu-like symptoms, or other signs of infection
  • painful, frequent, burning or difficult urination
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath
  • rash
  • itching
  • pain in the right upper stomach area
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • dark urine

Beleodaq injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit an online report to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, call 911 immediately.

What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests to check your body’s response to the Beleodaq injection.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you have about your medicine.

It is important to keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should carry this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Beleodaq

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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