What is a Generic Drug?
A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.
The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.
Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.
Inqovi (Cedazuridine/Decitabine)
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Product Details
Description
Inqovi is a combination medication that includes decitabine and cedazuridine. It's used to treat certain blood disorders and cancers, specifically myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) that include chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Decitabine acts as a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor, while cedazuridine helps increase its effectiveness by blocking cytidine deaminase. Inqovi comes as an oral tablet. This therapeutic approach offers a more convenient alternative to the intravenous administration of decitabine alone.
Fact Table
Formula
C9H15N3O5 (Cedazuridine), C8H12N4O4 (Decitabine)
License
US FDA
Bioavailability
About 80% (oral)
Legal status
Prescription only (Rx)
Chemical Name
Cedazuridine: 2'-Deoxy-2'-fluoro-5-azacytidine
Decitabine: 4-amino-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-oneElimination half-life
1.4 hours (Decitabine)
Dosage (Strength)
35 mg Cedazuridine / 100 mg Decitabine (oral tablet)
Pregnancy
Use only if the potential benefit justifies the risk
Brands
Inqovi
Protein binding
~30% (Decitabine)
PubChem CID
139049787 (Cedazuridine), 451668 (Decitabine)
MedlinePlus
a621026 (Decitabine)
ChEBI
7450 (Decitabine)
ATC code
L01BC08 (Decitabine)
DrugBank
DB15636 (Cedazuridine), DB01262 (Decitabine)
KEGG
D11286 (Cedazuridine), D03459 (Decitabine)
Routes of administration
Oral
Directions
Inqovi is taken orally in the form of a tablet. Patients should take one tablet containing 35 mg of decitabine and 100 mg of cedazuridine daily for the first 5 days of each 28-day cycle. The tablet should be swallowed whole on an empty stomach, which means you should take it at least 2 hours before or after a meal. It's important to not crush, chew, or split the tablet.
The medication schedule typically requires adherence for a minimum of 4 cycles, but a complete or partial response may take more time. Patients must continue taking Inqovi until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs, as premature discontinuation may limit its therapeutic benefits. Always follow the prescribed schedule and consult a healthcare provider if there are any questions or complications.
Ingredients
Inqovi contains two active ingredients, decitabine and cedazuridine.
Contraindications
There are no contraindications indicated on the drug label. However, avoid taking it if you have a known hypersensitivity to decitabine, cedazuridine, or any of the components in Inqovi.
Cautions
- Before beginning treatment with Inqovi, it's important to discuss the following with your healthcare provider:
- Your current health conditions
- Any allergies you may have
- All medications you are currently using
- Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Inqovi treatment can cause serious and sometimes fatal reductions in blood cell counts. This includes high rates of thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts), neutropenia (low neutrophil counts), and anemia. Febrile neutropenia, a serious complication from low neutrophil counts accompanied by fever, is also common. Close monitoring with blood tests before and during treatment is essential to manage these effects.
- There is a significant risk of developing severe infections such as pneumonia and sepsis, which can be fatal. Be alert for signs of infection and seek immediate medical care if symptoms like fever or chills occur.
- Treatment may require delays, dose adjustments, or the use of supportive care such as growth factors or anti-infective therapies to manage or prevent complications.
- Inqovi can harm an unborn baby when administered to a pregnant woman, based on its mechanism of action and studies in animals. Women of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during and for 6 months after treatment. Men with female partners of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during and for 3 months after treatment.
Side Effects
Inqovi side effects include fatigue, constipation, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Patients might also experience less common effects like rash, dizziness, headache, cough, and decreased appetite. Respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing and upper respiratory infections are also reported, alongside serious conditions like pneumonia.
The most severe side effects include:
- Myelosuppression: A critical reduction in blood cells which can lead to increased risk of infection, anemia, and bleeding.
- Febrile neutropenia: A significant drop in white blood cells accompanied by fever, which is a medical emergency.
- Sepsis and septic shock: Severe infections that can be life-threatening, with some cases reported as fatal.
References
- Inqovi (Cedazuridine/Decitabine) Product Monograph. Princeton, NJ: Taiho Oncology, Inc.; 2022.
- Inqovi (Cedazuridine/Decitabine) Drug Label Information. Princeton, NJ: Taiho Oncology, Inc.; 2022.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.Product Code : 14616
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