Azacitidine
Description
Azacitidine is used for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome, a group of cancers that affect the production of blood cells. This medicine works by enhancing the bone marrow for the production of normal blood cells. It also helps in killing the abnormal cells in the bone marrow.
Azacitidine can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, cough, headache, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects are worsening or getting persistent. Avoid driving vehicles and operating machines after receiving this medicine as it can make you feel drowsy.
Azacitidine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinic or a hospital. Your dose and duration of the treatment will be decided on the basis of the severity of your condition. Do not stop receiving this medication without consulting your doctor as your symptoms could reoccur.
Azacitidine is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform all your current medications and pre-existing medical conditions to your doctor before receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor to adjust your dose for avoiding any side effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Azacitidine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Headache
- Cough
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Bleeding gums
- Blurred vision
Uses of Azacitidine
What is it prescribed for?
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Azacitidine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectAzacitidine can remain in your body for 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Azacitidine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Azacitidine is highly unsafe during pregnancy as it can harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Due to the lack of relevant safety information, Azacitidine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Azacitidine is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Liver tumours
Azacitidine is not recommended for use in you have an advanced tumour (a solid mass of tissue that forms when abnormal cells group together) in your liver, as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Azacitidine is highly unsafe during pregnancy as it can harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Due to the lack of relevant safety information, Azacitidine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Anaemia
Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal. Azacitidine can cause anaemia in some people. Therefore, your doctor will closely monitor your blood cells while you are receiving this medicine.
Driving or operating machinery
Azacitidine may cause dizziness, fainting, loss of balance, etc. Therefore, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines while receiving this medicine.
Tumour lysis syndrome
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is a condition that occurs when a large number of cancer cells die within a short period, releasing their contents into the blood. Azacitidine should be used with caution since it may increase the risk of tumour lysis syndrome. Your doctor can adjust your dose or replace it with another medicine if required.
Women with child bearing potential
Azacitidine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary due to the increased risk of fetal harm. Female patients of child-bearing potential should always use at least 2 methods of reliable birth control to avoid pregnancy during treatment with this medicine. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Since Azacitidine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified health care professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since Azacitidine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Leflunomide
BCG vaccine
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Disease interactions
Kidney Disease
Azacitidine is filtered by your kidneys. If you have kidney problems, this medicine will not get filtered properly, therefore increasing the risk of toxicity. Your doctor can adjust the dose while monitoring your condition closely or suggest another medicine if required.
Liver Disease
Azacitidine is broken down and absorbed in the liver. Therefore, a damaged liver will not break it down properly, resulting in toxicity. Your doctor can adjust your dose or replace it with another medicine according to your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Azacitidine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the hospital or clinical setting. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine.
Consult your doctor if you experience any change of colour in your urine or any other side effects.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Azacitidineworks by enhancing the bone marrow for the production of normal blood cells. It also helps in killing the abnormal cells in the bone marrow.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Miscellaneous antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 March 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Vidaza 25 mg/ml powder for suspension for injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 March 2022].
Bioline.org.br. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 March 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 9 Jan 2023
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.