Taking INQOVI

How should I take INQOVI?

Image of INQOVI tablet

INQOVI® (decitabine and cedazuridine) tablets contain 35 mg of decitabine and 100 mg of cedazuridine.

Tablet shown is not actual size. Actual tablet size is 7.94 mm x 14.29 mm.

Take 1 tablet, by mouth, once a day for the first 5 days of each 28-day cycle. INQOVI tablets should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after a meal. After 5 days of treatment, you do not need to take INQOVI for the next 23 days. Take INQOVI one time a day at about the same time each day.

Dosing schedule for INQOVI tablets Dosing schedule for INQOVI tablets

If you miss your dose by more than 12 hours, skip that dose and extend your cycle by 1 day

To reduce risk of nausea or vomiting, your healthcare provider may prescribe an anti-nausea pill to take before each dose of INQOVI.

INQOVI cannot be substituted for IV-administered decitabine within the same cycle. If you are switching from IV-administered decitabine to INQOVI, talk to your healthcare provider about starting INQOVI at the beginning of your next cycle.

It may take 4 or more cycles before INQOVI has an effect on the condition. Your blood cell counts may change within the first 2 months.

Your healthcare provider will take blood tests before you start treatment with INQOVI and again before each 28-day cycle to check how well the treatment is working. If your blood counts are low, your healthcare provider may need to give you antibiotic medicines to prevent or treat infections or fever.

If you get certain side effects, your healthcare provider may tell you to:

  • Reduce the number of days you take INQOVI per cycle
  • Temporarily stop taking INQOVI
  • Completely stop taking INQOVI

How should I store INQOVI?

  • Store INQOVI at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C)
  • Do not store INQOVI outside of the original blister pack (plastic sheet containing pills)
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about how to safely dispose of INQOVI

Keep INQOVI and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Image of an INQOVI DosePak

DosePak is 7.35 in x 2.45 in.

What do I need to remember when taking INQOVI?

Instructions to remember when taking INQOVI Instructions to remember when taking INQOVI
Cross stitch of a hanging plant

Possible side effects

What are the possible side efffects of INQOVI?

You may experience side effects while taking INQOVI. Your healthcare provider will take
blood tests before each cycle of INQOVI to help check the side effects such as cytopenias.

Record any side effects or important notes in your health journal, available in the INQOVI Treatment Kit or at INQOVI.com/healthjournal

The most common side effects of INQOVI include:

  • low white blood cell count (leukopenia)
  • low platelets in your blood (thrombocytopenia)
  • low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
  • low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • tiredness
  • constipation
  • bleeding
  • muscle pain
  • pain or sores in your mouth or throat
  • joint pain
  • nausea
  • shortness of breath
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • dizziness
  • fever with low white blood cell count (febrile neutropenia)
  • swelling of arms or legs
  • headache
  • cough
  • decreased appetite
  • upper respiratory tract infection
  • penumonia
  • changes in liver function tests

INQOVI may cause serious side effects, such as low blood cell counts. Low blood counts
are common with INQOVI but can also be serious and can lead to infections that may be
life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will check your blood counts regularly during
treatment with INQOVI. If you have low blood counts, your healthcare provider may need
to give you antibiotic medicines to prevent or treat infections or fever.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs
and symptoms of infection during treatment with INQOVI:

  • fever
  • chills
  • body aches
  • bruising more easily than usual

INQOVI may affect fertility in men. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern
for you.

These are not all the possible side effects of INQOVI. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1‑800‑FDA‑1088

Tips for managing common side effects

Your healthcare provider may have ways to help manage certain side effects of INQOVI, such as adjusting or delaying your dosing cycle. The following information may also be helpful to you in managing some of the common side effects of INQOVI, along with your healthcare provider's care.

This information is not meant to replace your healthcare provider's advice. Always discuss any side effects with your healthcare provider.

Tiredness or weakness

  • Stress and anxiety may increase feelings of tiredness. You can try meditation or yoga to relax and release stress
  • Eat well and hydrate with about 8 cups of water or juice a day
  • Plan time to rest throughout the day, and consider taking short naps
  • Don't try to do too much. Ask for help with activities that require a lot of energy
  • Try to stay active with short walks or other low-effort exercise
  • Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Consider making a bedtime routine to relax before bed
  • Try keeping a diary of how you feel each day. You can share this with your healthcare provider or nurse to keep track of your energy levels
  • Talk to your healthcare provider. He or she may prescribe medication that can help decrease tiredness

Fever

  • You may have fever if you:
    • Feel very warm or cold
    • Have a headache or body aches
    • Have shaking chills
    • Have a skin rash or a new area of redness or swelling
    • Have a new cough or shortness of breath
    • Have a sore throat
    • Have new belly pain
    • Feel burning or pain while urinating
    • Have pus coming from an injury or other location
    • Feel confused or forgetful
  • Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have a fever or other signs of infection, such as chills, body aches, or bruising more easily than usual
  • To see if you have a fever, you can check your temperature by mouth. If you can't use this method, hold the thermometer under your armpit
    • Your healthcare provider may tell you to contact them if your temperature reaches 100.5° F (38° C) or higher
  • A fever can cause fluid loss and dehydration. Drink plenty of liquids, like water, juice, and soup
  • Get enough rest
  • Keep cool by using a cold compress on your forehead
  • Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to help reduce fever. Do not take fever medicine without talking to your healthcare provider

Nausea or vomiting

  • You may feel nauseous on the days you take INQOVI tablets or shortly after
  • It may help to avoid certain foods. Try eating bland, easy-to-digest foods like crackers or toast instead of greasy, fried, sweet, or spicy foods
  • Avoid strong smells. Go outside and get a breath of fresh air if you feel like vomiting
  • Eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones. Eat food at room temperature
  • Talk to your healthcare provider, who may prescribe medicine to help reduce nausea. You can take this before treatment with INQOVI

Constipation

  • Talk to a healthcare provider if you have not had a bowel movement in 2 days
  • Keep a record of your bowel movements so that you can discuss with your healthcare provider what is normal for you
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about high-fiber foods you can eat. Some examples are bran muffins, cooked peas and beans, and peanut butter
  • Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 cups of water or other fluids per day
  • Drink warm fluids like tea. Fruit juice such as prune juice may also help
  • Be active when you can. Ask your healthcare provider about ways to exercise while taking INQOVI

Diarrhea

  • Talk to your healthcare provider if:
    • Your diarrhea lasts for more than 24 hours
    • You experience pain along with diarrhea
    • Your rectal area is sore or bleeds
  • Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help. Do not take medicine for diarrhea before talking to a doctor or nurse
  • Eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones
  • Ask your healthcare provider about foods high in sodium and potassium. Your body can lose these minerals when you have diarrhea and it's important to replace them
  • Eat low-fiber foods such as bananas, white rice, white toast, and plain or vanilla yogurt
  • Drink 8 to 12 cups of clear liquids each day, such as water or clear broth. Liquids containing electrolytes can be helpful
  • Drink liquids slowly and at room temperature

Cough

  • Cough can be caused by different things, such as:
    • Allergies
    • Secondhand smoke or chemicals
    • Infection
    • Acid reflux, or heartburn
  • Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the cause and type of cough. A cough can be acute (lasting less than 3 weeks) or persistent (more than 8 weeks)
  • Call your healthcare provider immediately if you cough up blood or colored mucus, or experience other symptoms with your cough
  • Avoid exposure to second hand smoke or chemicals that may irritate your throat. These can be found in hairspray or cleaning products
  • Avoid things you are allergic to. It's a good idea to vacuum and dust regularly if you have allergies
  • You can take a hot shower or use a humidifier to loosen mucus and moisten the throat
  • Stay hydrated to thin out the mucus in the throat
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about medicines that may help alleviate your cough, such as antihistamines or cough drops

Decreased appetite

  • Eat small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones
  • Set a daily schedule for meals, and eat even if you do not feel hungry
  • Drink liquid foods such as soup or smoothies if you do not feel like eating solid foods
  • Choose foods that are high in calories and/or protein
  • Use plastic forks or spoons if you get a metallic taste in your mouth
  • Being active may help you feel hungrier. Talk to your healthcare provider about exercises that can help
  • Talk to your healthcare provider, who may suggest that you take extra vitamins or supplements

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