Xpreza (Azacitidine)

What Is Azacitidine?

Azacitidine is widely used for treating Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome is a health condition that the bone marrow disorder leading to not producing enough healthy blood cells.

The azacitidine is the chemotherapy drug suitable for treating the patient who could have the higher dosage treatments after bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant due to Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia.

Azacitidine is also a renowned Demethylation Agents for helping the bone marrow to create normal blood cells. These automatically kill the abnormal cells in the bone marrow.

Azacitidine is a treatment for patients with a stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant but could not have the higher dose treatments.

These can be due to the following conditions such Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (CMML), Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome and many more.

FDA also approved for using the azacitidine administered medicine for treating the MDS of French-American-British (FAB) subtypes.

Azacitidine is given along with the combination of Venetoclax for the treatment of AML in patients.

How Does Azacitidine Work?

Azacitidine is a chemotherapy widely called as an antimetabolite. Azacitidine works by stopping the cell along to grow and repairing the DNA.

Normally, cancer cells in a body grow by repairing the DNA for multiplying.

Azacitidine or 5-azacytidine is the chemical analogue of cytosine nucleoside located in the DNA and RNA.

These involve antineoplastic activity extensively inhibiting the DNA Methyltransferase in the lower doses.

 It also induces Cytotoxicity by easily incorporating the RNA and DNA at the highest doses.

After taking the azacitidine tablets, these create cytotoxic effects, which destroy the rapidly dividing cells. It includes the newly growing cancer cells.

Non-proliferating cells will be insensitive to the azacitidine, so the azacitidine exerts antineoplastic effects with direct Cytotoxicity for the abnormal hematopoietic cells present in bone marrow.

DNA methyltransferase has covalent binding, which results in creating DNA hypomethylation. These also efficiently prevent DNA synthesis.

The Incorporation of azacitidine into DNA and RNA would be leading to the Cytotoxicity. It is quite important to know how azacitidine works in the body.

Azacitidine creates the Phosphorylated with the Uridine-Cytidine Kinase along the cellular uptake.

Azacitidine Triphosphate will stabilize the RNA and then completely disrupt the metabolism of the RNA.

Reduction of the Azacytidine Diphosphate could easily lead to the 5-aza-Deoxycytidine Diphosphate.

Cost and Accessibility

Despite its efficacy, the cost of Azacitidine may present a barrier to accessibility for some patients. Grant Pharmacy strives to address financial concerns through advocacy efforts and assistance programs, advocating for equitable access to this life-saving medication.

How to Use Azacitidine?

Azacitidine is available in the following dosage forms such as Powder for Suspension. The azacitidine dose depends on the several cycles of treatment.

Having the drug lets your body easily recover at a faster pace. Normally, each cycle involves treatment that lasts for about 28 days or 4 weeks.

 Number of cycles especially varies based on the azacitidine injection or tablets or even with the combination of venetoclax.

The doctor would be prescribing the right dosage for your treatment based on your health condition.

Azacitidine suspension injection will be given as a shot under the skin. The medicine will be given for once a day for about 7 days, which is stated as 1 treatment cycle.

You would be receiving the Azacitidine xpreza every 4 weeks.

Cancer medicines could cause nausea and vomiting, so appropriate medication will be given. Azacitidine medicine will be given under the direct supervision of a doctor.

• Missed Dose:

Azacitidine needs to be dosed based on the fixed schedule. If you have missed a dose, then you need to consult a doctor immediately. 

• Overdose:

Overdose with azacitidine could lead to various side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. The correct dose needs to be resumed the following day to get the full effect.

Patients need to be monitored with appropriate blood counts for extensively receiving supportive treatments.

Azacitidine over-dosage does not have any specific antidote.

Precautions and Warnings:

The risks of taking Azacitidine weighed against the benefits it does for the body. Doctor would suggest the medication and dosage based on the health condition of the patient. Taking essential precautions and warnings is important.

• Allergies:

Whether you have allergic reaction to the azacitidine or combination of drugs then you need to consult doctor immediately.

• Pediatric:

There are no appropriate studies indicating that azacitidine injection could treat juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia in children below 1 year of age. Consult the doctor for suggestions on the medicine.

• Geriatric:

There is no appropriate study indicating that azacitidine can be useful in the elderly. Most elderly patients are more likely to have kidney problems.

Consulting the doctor before taking the azacitidine is most important to avoid any side effects.

• Breastfeeding:

Doctors suggest that Breastfeeding women should avoid taking azacitidine as these could be causing risks to the infants.

Even though there are no studies claiming the potential risks of taking medication while breastfeeding, consult the doctor before starting the azacitidine medicine.

Taking the precaution before using the azacitidine helps to provide you with the full effect. Below are some of the precautions that you need to take

Male patients should be using effective birth control throughout the treatments for at least 3 months, even after the last dose.

When your partner or you become pregnant during the treatment, then it is essential to consult the doctor immediately.

Doctors would be checking your progress upon the regular visits. Blood tests would be required to check on the unwanted effects of the drugs.

Female patients need to use birth control during the treatments for about 6 months after the last dose of azacitidine.

You need to know that azacitidine can lower the number of white blood cells in the blood temporarily. These could also easily increase the chance of getting the infection.

Lower levels of platelets could lead to blood clotting. You need to avoid people with the risk of spreading the infection.

Consult the doctor when you have an infection, such as fever, hoarseness, chills, lower back pain, difficulty urination, cough and many others.

Consult the doctor when you have unusual bleeding, tarry stools, and pinpoint red spots on your skin and many more.

Side Effects Of Azacitidine:

Before taking the medicine, it is essential to know about the azacitidine side effects. Azacitidine could be causing some unwanted effects in the body. Below are some of the azacitidine side effects that you need to be aware of

• Black, Tarry Stools
• Cloudy Urine
• Bleeding Gums
• Bladder Pain
• Blood In The Urine Or Stools
• Chills
• Cough
• Burning or Stinging of the Skin
• Body Aches
• Dizziness
• Fast Heartbeat
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Difficult Breathing
• Headache
• Fever
• Hoarseness
• Hives
• Ear Congestion
• Muscle Aches
• Nosebleeds
• Loss of Voice
• Increased Menstrual Flow
• Vaginal Bleeding
• Nausea
• Lower Back or Side Pain

Consult the doctor immediately when you are having side effects after taking the Azacitidine

Storage:

Azacitidine needs to be refrigerated immediately after use.

The medicine needs to be refrigerated under 2ºC - 8ºC or 36ºF - 46ºF for 8 hours

Suspension is allowed to equilibrate to room temperature for about 30 minutes before administration to the patient.

Interactions:

Certain medicines must not be used along with the Azacitidine as these could be causing more side effects in the body.

The doctor could be changing the dosage or other precautions essential. Whether you are receiving the medicine, then you need to talk about your health history and the medication you are already taking. The following interactions are listed based on their significance.

• Levoketoconazole
• Cedazuridine
• Methotrexate

Whether you are using these medicines then it is important to talk to the doctor immediately.

Sometimes, both medicines could be prescribed for the health condition. However, doctors would be changing the dosage and duration of Azacitidine.

 There are also certain medication and food items that you should not interact with Azacitidine.

You can find the azacitidine cost at Grant Online Pharmacy. Doctors recommend not using alcohol or tobacco along with the cancer medications.

These could be causing the interaction, so it is best to consult with the healthcare professional about the food.

Whether you have other medical problems, the interaction of drugs could be affecting your health.

• Anemia
• Liver disease
• Cancerous Liver Tumours
• Allergy to Mannitol
• Kidney disease
• Thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets)
• Neutropenia (low white blood cells)

Conclusion

Through comprehensive support and patient-centered care, Grant Pharmacy is dedicated to helping patients navigate Azacitidine therapy with confidence and resilience, ensuring that every individual receives the care and compassion they deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions about Azacitidine (FAQs)

What Is The Drug Azacitidine Used For?

Azacitidine is useful for treating patients with myelodysplastic syndrome subtypes such as Chronic Leukaemia or Refractory Anaemia. These are also useful for treating Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia.

What Class Of Chemotherapy Is Azacitidine?

Azacitidine comes under the Class of Medications called as Demethylation Agents. These work with helping bone marrow to extensively produce the normal blood cells. It also kills the abnormal cells in the bone marrow.

What Does Azacitidine Do In AML?

Azacitidine is antimetabolite drug that could be interfering with DNA and RNA formation. It prevents the reproduction of cancer cells in your body.

How Many Cycles Of Azacitidine?

Azacitidine has a certain protocol for the cycle administered. Dosage of 75 mg/m2 daily will be given for first 7 days with 28-day cycle. There will be 6 cycles given based on the patient's health condition.

Is Azacitidine An IV?

Azacitidine will be provided by subcutaneous or under-the-skin injections or intravenously. Dosage will be based on size and side effects that you experience.