Your session is about to expire
What is Azacitidine
AzacitidineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryAzacytidine is a medication used to treat cancer by blocking the action of an enzyme involved in DNA methylation. It is also used as an antimetabolite of cytidine, which is incorporated into RNA. Azacytidine is an antineoplastic drug, meaning that it is used to stop the growth of cancer cells.
Vidazais the brand name
Azacitidine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Vidaza
Azacitidine
2004
34
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Azacitidine, commonly known as Vidaza, is approved by the FDA for 3 uses like 20-30% blasts and multilineage dysplasia .20-30% blasts
multilineage dysplasia
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Effectiveness
How Azacitidine Affects PatientsAzacitidine works by decreasing the methylation of DNA, which can restore normal function to genes that are important for cell growth and differentiation. It also causes the death of cells that are no longer responding to normal growth control mechanisms. After it is taken up by cells, it is converted into different forms that disrupt nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA metabolism and inhibit protein synthesis, as well as stop DNA synthesis. Azacitidine is most effective when cells are in the S-phase of the cell cycle.
How Azacitidine works in the bodyAzacitidine helps fight cancer by blocking DNA from being made. At low doses, it prevents DNA from being methylated, which is necessary for it to be made. At high doses, it gets incorporated into both DNA and RNA, stopping the cells from being able to produce the proteins needed for cell growth and survival, eventually leading to cell death.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Azacitidine is contingent upon the diagnosed malady, including induction chemotherapy, 20-30% blasts and Anemia. The dosage is dependent on the technique of delivery (e.g. Subcutaneous or Tablet - Oral) detailed in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
20-30% blasts
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Anemia
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
multilineage dysplasia
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
induction chemotherapy
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Malignant Neoplasms
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Blood Transfusion
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Complete Blood Count
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Anemia
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Complete Remission
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Anemia
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Refractory Anemia
100.0 mg, , 10.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg, 25.0 mg/mL, 300.0 mg
Powder, for suspension, , Powder, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Subcutaneous, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension - Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for suspension, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Warnings
Azacitidine ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
advanced malignant hepatic tumors
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Azacitidine may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Azacitidine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azacitidine is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azacitidine is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abatacept
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azacitidine is combined with Abatacept.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azacitidine is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azacitidine is combined with Acteoside.
Azacitidine Toxicity & Overdose RiskA patient experienced diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting after taking a large dose of azacitidine. This was almost 4 times the recommended starting dose and the equivalent of 290 mg/m2.
Azacitidine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Azacitidine?
367 active studies are currently being conducted to determine the efficacy of Azacitidine in treating Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, Blood Transfusion and multilineage dysplasia.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Malignant Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
20-30% blasts
0 Actively Recruiting
neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia
0 Actively Recruiting
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
52 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3
Blood Transfusion
0 Actively Recruiting
Refractory Anemia
5 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1
Anemia
0 Actively Recruiting
multilineage dysplasia
0 Actively Recruiting
Anemia
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
315 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1
induction chemotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Anemia
0 Actively Recruiting
Complete Blood Count
0 Actively Recruiting
Complete Remission
0 Actively Recruiting
Azacitidine Reviews: What are patients saying about Azacitidine?
4Patient Review
5/5/2017 This treatment was really effective. My hemoglobin count went from 6.2 to 17 after six treatments.
3.3Patient Review
1/27/2010 I developed large lumps under my skin and felt itchiness and pain on my left side. The injection was inserted in the fatty tissue above my belly button.
1.7Patient Review
7/19/2016 My mother was given this treatment three times and had terrible side effects each time, eventually leading to her death from renal failure caused by extreme diarrhea.
1.3Patient Review
8/25/2013 I have MDS. This treatment didn't work for me, so the medical model says I'm out of options.
Patient Q&A Section about azacitidine
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What class of drug is azacitidine?
"Azacitidine is a cancer medication that works by killing abnormal cells in the bone marrow, as well as by helping the bone marrow to produce normal blood cells."
Answered by AI
Is azacitidine a chemotherapy?
"Azacitadine is a chemotherapy drug that works by killing cancer cells. It is classified as an antimetabolite and a demethylating agent."
Answered by AI
What is the drug azacitidine used for?
"Azacitidine injection is used to treat patients with French-American-British (FAB) myelodysplastic syndrome (bone marrow problem) subtypes, including refractory anemia or chronic leukemia. This medicine is also used to treat juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML)."
Answered by AI
How long can you take azacitidine?
"We recommend that patients be treated with azacitidine for a minimum of 6 months, and that in patients who achieve a response or stable disease, treatment be continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs."
Answered by AI