Vidaza

What is Vidaza?

Vidaza is an anti-cancer medicine that inhibits the growth and spreading of cancerous cells.Vidaza injections are used to treat certain types of bone marrow cancer and blood cell disorders.Vidaza is available as a lyophilized powder, 100 mg per vial.

Warnings

Azacitidine is harmful to an unborn child if either the mother or father uses this medication.Vidaza should not be used if your liver cancer has advanced.Azacitidine lowers blood cells, which help the body fight infections and clot blood. You could get an infection more easily or bleed. If you notice unusual bleeding or bruising or signs of an infection (fever, chills, body aches), call your doctor.

Before you take this drug

Vidaza should not be used if you have an allergy to azacitidine.If you are allergic to mannitol or have advanced liver carcinoma, you should not receive Vidaza.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medication is safe for you:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease

Azacitidine may harm an unborn child if either the mother or father are taking this medication.

• Before starting this treatment, you may be required to take a pregnancy test. Vidaza should not be used if you're pregnant. Use birth control while taking this medication to avoid pregnancy.
• Use effective birth control if you're a male and your partner can get pregnant.
• If you become pregnant while using Vidaza, tell your doctor immediately.

Azacitidine can affect both men and women's fertility (ability to have children). It is still important to use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as this medication can harm an unborn child.If you are using Vidaza, it is not recommended that you breastfeed.

How to take Vidaza?

Please follow the directions on the prescription label.Vidaza is either injected into the vein or infused under the skin. This injection is given by a healthcare provider, usually 7 days straight every 4 weeks.If you accidentally get any Vidaza on your skin, clean it with warm, soapy water.

Your treatment plan may differ. Your doctor will decide how long you should be treated with Vidaza. Vidaza injection should not be substituted with Onureg tablets (azacitidine). Oral and injection forms have different dosages and uses.Also, you may be prescribed medicine to reduce vomiting and nausea. This medicine should only be taken as prescribed.

Azacitidine lowers blood cells, which help the body fight infections and clot blood. You will have to test your blood frequently. You may need to test your kidney function as well. The results may delay your cancer treatment.Store Vidaza at 25 oc (77 of); excursions to 15 oc–30 oc (59 oc–86 of) are allowed.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for myelodysplastic syndrome:

FIRST TREATMENT CYCLE: 75 mg/m2 intravenously or subcutaneously every day for 7 days. Repeat cycles every 4 weeks.
Subsequent cycles: If no benefit is observed and no toxicities other than nausea or vomiting have occurred, the dose may be increased to 100 mg/m2 after 2 cycles.
The treatment should last between 4 and 6 cycles. If the patient is still benefiting, it may be continued.

Adult dose for acute myeloid leukemia:

FIRST TREATMENT CYCLE: 75 mg/m2 intravenously or subcutaneously every day for 7 days. Repeat cycles every 4 weeks.
SUBSEQUENT CYCLES: If no benefit is observed and no toxicities other than nausea or vomiting have occurred, the dose may be increased to 100 mg/m2.
The treatment should last between 4 and 6 cycles. If the patient is still benefiting, it may be continued.
Comments:
Premedicate the patient for nausea and vomiting.
Use: Treatment of patients with the following French-American-British (FAB) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) subtypes: refractory anemia (RA) or refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS) if accompanied by neutropenia or thrombocytopenia or requiring transfusions; refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB); refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation (RAEB-T); and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (cmmol).

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.If you are unable to attend your Vidaza appointment, call your doctor and ask for further instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

Avoid this

Avoid being around people who are ill or infected. If you notice any signs of an infection, tell your doctor immediately.

Side effects of Vidaza

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or a rash, seek immediate medical attention.

If you experience:

• Severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
• Redness, swelling, warmth on the skin, or any other symptoms of skin infection
• Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, and tiredness; mouth sores or skin sores. Easy bruising. Unusual bleeding. Pale skin. Cold hands and feet. Feeling light-headed.
• Signs of a lung disease include fever, mucusy cough, chest pain, and a feeling of shortness of breath.
• Kidney problems: pain in the lower back; bloody urine; inability to urinate; swelling of your ankles or feet;
• Liver problems: upper stomach pain, itching, and loss of appetite. Dark urine and clay-coloured stools. Jaundice.
• Low sodium level: leg cramps, constipation, numbness, tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, or a limp feeling.
• Signs of tumor cell breakdown: tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast or slow heart rate, tingling in your hands and feet, or around your mouth.

Side effects of Vidaza include:

• Fever, chills, bruises, or other signs of a low red blood cell count
• Lung infection;
• Low potassium
• Vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite are all symptoms that can be associated with stomach pain.
• Constipation, diarrhea;
• Joint pain is pain in the arms or legs.
• Feeling tired or weak
• Dizziness;
• Redness at the injection site.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Interaction with other drug

Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also interact with azacitidine. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.