Mylostat

Mylostat is used in the treatment of some kinds of cancer and to prevent painful episodes associated with sickle cell anemia. It may be also used to treat some other conditions. It is sometimes used with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy. Mylostat can be taken with or without food, but try to have it at the same time every day to get the most benefits. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and sore mouth. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells in your blood thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with kidney, liver and heart function during treatment with this medicine. Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have bleeding, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Mylostat may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

In cancer, Mylostat works by blocking an enzyme (ribonucleotide reductase) which is required for synthesis of DNA. This prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying. In sickle cell disease, it works by increasing fetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels in red blood cells (RBCs). This helps the RBCs assume a normal shape, improves blood flow and protects against complications such as painful sickle cell episodes.