Azacitidine Injection

Conditions Treated

Azacitidine is used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (a group of conditions in which the bone marrow produces blood cells that are misshapen and does not produce enough healthy blood cells). Azacitidine is in a class of medications called demethylation agents. It works by helping the bone marrow to produce normal blood cells and by killing abnormal cells in the bone marrow.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Azacitidine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• sores on the mouth or tongue
• hemorrhoids
• stomach pain or tenderness
• heartburn
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• headache
• dizziness
• weakness
• excessive tiredness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• depression
• anxiety
• back, muscle, or joint pain
• muscle cramps
• sweating
• night sweats
• difficulty urinating or pain when urinating
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• dry skin
• redness, pain, bruising, swelling, itching, lump, or change in the skin color in the place where the medication was injected

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• pale skin
• shortness of breath
• fast heartbeat
• chest pain
• cough
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• nosebleeds
• bleeding gums
• small red or purple dots on the skin
• sore throat, fever, chills, or other signs of infection
• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Azacitidine comes as a powder to be mixed with water and injected subcutaneously (under the skin) or intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient department. It is usually injected once a day for 7 days. This treatment may be repeated every 4 weeks for as long as your doctor recommends. Treatment should usually be given for at least four cycles. Your doctor may increase your dose of azacitidine after two cycles if your condition has not improved and if you have not experienced serious side effects of the medication. Your doctor may also need to delay your treatment or reduce your dose if you experience certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with azacitadine. Your doctor will give you medication to prevent nausea and vomiting before you receive each dose of azacitadine.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using azacitidine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to azacitidine, mannitol (Osmitrol, Resectisol), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have a liver tumor. Your doctor may tell you not to take azacitidine. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using azacitidine.