What is Nipent: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Feb 14, 2024

Nipent is an antibiotics/antineoplastics drug used to treat patients diagnosed with leukemia. There is not a Nipent generic drug currently available on the market. You can use our SingleCare Nipent savings card to save significantly on the retail price when you purchase your medication at participating pharmacies near you.

Nipent overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Nipent, Nipent Novaplus

Generic Names:

  • Nipent

Uses:

  • Treats cancer, including hairy cell leukemia.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antineoplastic Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Nipent used for?

Nipent is cancer medication used to treat hairy cell leukemia, cancer in the blood. It is available in the form of an injection and works by targeting the cancer cells in the body to slow or block the growth and spread of the cancer cells.

What form(s) does Nipent come in

  • Injectable

What are common Nipent doses?

  • Solution Reconstituted 10mg

How to take Nipent

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Nipent

Nipent contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to pentostatin or if you are pregnant.

Nipent warnings

  • Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, low blood pressure, or any type of infection.

  • Do not breastfeed while you are being given this medicine.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

  • Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Nipent interactions

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Do not use fludarabine while you are using this medicine.

  • Some medicines can affect how pentostatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: AllopurinolCarmustineCyclophosphamideEtoposideVidarabine

  • This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

  • Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

  • Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Nipent side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Confusion, extreme tiredness, fainting, or drowsiness

  • Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, feet, or face

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

  • Decrease in how much or how often you urinate

  • Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, or body aches

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Tooth pain, swelling in your gums, mouth sores

  • Muscle or joint pain

  • Mild skin rash or itching

  • Pain, redness, or swelling where the needle is placed

  • Headache

  • Nervousness, depression, trouble sleeping

  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas, stomach pain

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