Dacogen – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, September 05, 2018 by Zoey Sky

Dacogen is a cancer drug that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in a patient’s body.

It is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), or specific types of blood or bone marrow cancer. MDS are a group of conditions where the bone marrow produces blood cells that are misshapen and can’t produce enough healthy blood cells.

Dacogen belongs to a class of medications called hypomethylation agents. They help the bone marrow create normal blood cells. This class of drugs also eliminates abnormal cells in the bone marrow.

Dacogen’s generic name is decitabine.

Known health risks or side effects of Dacogen

Dacogen may cause common side effects such as:

Change in skin color
Chest discomfort or pain in the chest wall
Constipation
Confusion
Diarrhea
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Dizziness
Excessive tiredness
Fast heartbeat
Hair loss
A headache
Heartburn or indigestion
Joint or muscle pain
Nausea
Painful sores in the mouth, on the tongue, or lips
Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
Pale skin
A rash
Red spots on the skin
Shortness of breath
Stomach pain
Swelling in the hands, feet, stomach, lower legs, or ankles
Vomiting
Weakness

You may require immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects such as:

Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Hives
Itching
Signs of infection (e.g., chills, a cough, fever, a sore throat, or other signs of infection)
Swelling of the face
Unusual bleeding or bruising

List of organs that might be affected by Dacogen

An overdose of Dacogen may cause complications like signs of infection or unusual bleeding or bruising.

An overdose of the drug can also cause an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing; hives; or the swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, consult a healthcare professional. If your symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Food items or nutrients that have similar effects to Dacogen

If you have MDS and you don’t want to take Dacogen to avoid its negative side effects, follow a healthy diet and maintain an ideal weight so you can have more energy and strength.

A healthy diet includes the following foods and drinks:

A minimized intake of foods rich in fat, salt, or sugar
A lot of fruit and vegetables
Protein-rich foods, like eggs, fish, meat, nuts, poultry, and pulses
Some carbohydrates, like bread, pasta, potatoes, and rice
Some dairy products
Lots of water, natural juices, sugar-free drinks, and some tea and coffee

Treatment and management options for the side effects of Dacogen

The following treatments and management options can help prevent the side effects associated with Dacogen, like constipation and headaches:

Drink more water – Staying dehydrated can help prevent constipation. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
Eat more fiber – If you’re constipated, increasing your fiber intake can help. Insoluble fibers help add bulk to your stools, which can make it easier and quicker to pass them through the digestive system. Foods with insoluble fibers include wheat bran, whole grains, and vegetables. Soluble fibers absorb water and form a gel-like paste that can soften stools and improve its consistency. Food with soluble fiber includes barley, beans, lentils, nuts, oat bran, peas, seeds, and some fruits and vegetables.
Ginger tea – If you have a headache, drink some ginger tea. Ginger root has a lot of beneficial compounds such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. Ginger can also help reduce nausea and vomiting, two common symptoms linked to severe headaches. Make some tea with fresh ginger root or take ginger powder in capsule form.

Where to learn more

Summary

Dacogen is a cancer drug used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), or specific types of blood or bone marrow cancer.

Dacogen may cause common side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, or a headache.

An overdose of Dacogen may cause complications like signs of infection or unusual bleeding or bruising. An overdose of the drug can also create an allergic reaction.

If you have MDS, follow a healthy diet and maintain an ideal weight so you can have more energy and strength.

Staying hydrated, eating more fiber, and drinking ginger tea can help prevent the side effects associated with Dacogen, like constipation and headaches.

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