Azacitidine

Azacitidine is used in the treatment of some kinds of blood cancer. It is used for the treatment of adult patients with all subtypes of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). It may be also used to treat other conditions, as determined by the doctor.

Azacitidine is given as an injection under the medical supervision of a doctor. 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 injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness), vomiting, weakness, and nausea. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. You must inform your doctor before taking any vaccination while on treatment with this medicine. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with the heart, liver, and kidney.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have 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.

• Blood cancer
• Treatment of Myelodysplastic syndrome

Blood cancer
Blood cancer, also called leukemia, is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, that decreases the body's ability to fight infection. Azacitidine kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Treatment of Myelodysplastic syndrome
Azacitidine is used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome, a group of conditions in which the bone marrow produces blood cells that are abnormal in structure and function, and does not produce enough healthy blood cells. Azacitidine kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is an effective, yet very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Azacite

• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Decreased potassium level in blood
• Bruise
• Fever
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Azacitidine is an anticancer medication. It works by interfering with the growth of genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells in leukaemia. This kills the cancer cells and helps in normal maturation and growth of young blood cells in the bone marrow.

• Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine.
• Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, rash or severe diarrhea.

Chabner BA, Bertino J, Cleary J, et al. Cytotoxic Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 1700.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 112-13.

Azacitidine. Uxbridge, UK: Celgene Ltd.; 2008 [revised 30 Jul. 2018]. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 27 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: