Omacetaxine mepesuccinate is used to treat chronic myelogenous leukaemia or CML (a type of cancer where the bone marrow produces too many of the white blood cells called granulocytes).
Use Omacetaxine mepesuccinate exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the thigh, upper arm or abdomen area).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you. If you or a caregiver had been given the proper training on the handling, storage, preparation, administration and disposal of Omacetaxine mepesuccinate, you or your caregiver may do the administration.
How to use this medicine:
- A reconstituted Omacetaxine mepesuccinate will be provided to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Ensure that you receive all the supplies that you need (e.g. protective eyewear, gloves, alcohol swab, gauze pad, absorbent pads, and disposal biohazard container).
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Put on a pair of gloves and your protective eyewear.
- Check the expiration date and visually inspect the medicine for presence of particulate matter or discolouration.
- Choose the injection site (abdomen or thigh). Remember to rotate the injection sites. Do not inject into the same area all the time. New injection sites should be at least 1 inch away from the previous injection site. Do not inject onto areas of your skin that are red, bruised, tender, hard or that have scars or stretch marks.
- Wipe the injection site with alcohol swab and let it dry.
- Carefully remove the needle cap then hold the syringe in one hand. With your other hand, pinch the skin around the injection site between your thumb and forefinger. Using a dart-like motion, insert the needle in the pinched area of the skin at a 45 or 90-degree angle. Release the pinched skin after the needle is completely inserted. Push the plunger all the way down until all the solution is injected.
- Quickly release the needle and apply pressure with a dry gauze pad over the injection site.
- Dispose your used needles and syringes according to your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions. Never try to re-cap the needle as this would cause a needle-stick injury. Do not throw away in household trash.
If you have problems or do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Omacetaxine mepesuccinate must be used regularly for it to be effective. Continue using this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop using it unless instructed by the doctor.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any dose. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Omacetaxine mepesuccinate.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
If you or a caregiver had been trained to administer this medicine and missed a dose, skip the missed dose and resume with the next scheduled dose.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to use your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes
- bleeding problems
Do not use Omacetaxine mepesuccinate if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Omacetaxine mepesuccinate may cause harm to your unborn child.
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are using Omacetaxine mepesuccinate.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- You may need to have routine blood tests (e.g. complete blood count) while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of blood sugar level, signs and symptoms of infections and bleeding may also be needed.
Omacetaxine mepesuccinate may cause tiredness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects may include any of the following: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite, hair thinning or loss, headache, back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, difficulty sleeping, and pain, redness or swelling on the injection site.
This medicine will cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. aspirin, warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin
- medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Omacetaxine mepesuccinate.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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