Azacitidine
(Generic Name) Other Names: Vidaza®
About this drug
Azacitidine is used to treat cancer. It is given by a shot into your skin (subcutaneous injection).
Possible side effects
- bone marrow depression. This is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. It may increase your risk for infection, fatigue, and bleeding.
- fever
- skin and tissue irritation. You may have redness, pain, warmth, or swelling at the injection site.
- chest pain
- muscle pain
- nausea or vomiting
- changes in bowel movements. Some people have diarrhea while other people have constipation.
- fatigue
- dizziness
- weakness
- effects on an unborn child. This drug may have harmful effects on an unborn child. Use effective methods of birth control during your cancer treatment. Genetic counseling is available to you to talk about the effect of this drug therapy on future pregnancies. A genetic counselor can review the potential risks to the fetus if you are exposed to this medicine during pregnancy.
Treating side effects
- Ask your doctor or nurse about medicine to help prevent or lessen nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and muscle pain.
- Use effective methods of birth control during your cancer treatment.
Food and drug interactions
There are no known interactions of this drug with food. Azacitidine may interact with other medicines. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines and dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, and others) that you are currently taking. The safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements and alternative diets are often unknown. Using these might unexpectedly affect your cancer or interfere with your treatment. Until more is known, you should not use dietary supplements or alternative diets without your cancer doctor’s advice.
When to call the doctor
Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- temperature of 100.5 F (38 C) or above
- chills
- chest pain
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- dizziness
- uncontrolled nausea that keeps you from eating or drinking
- vomiting more than 3 times in 1 day
Call your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or muscle pain that does not go away with prescribed medicine
- extreme fatigue and weakness that interfere with daily activities