Azacitidine-Teva (Azacitidine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Azacitidine-Teva Used For?
Azacitidine-Teva is an anti-cancer medication that prevents the growth of cancer cells. It’s specifically designed to treat blood disorders where your bone marrow isn’t working properly.
Primary Uses
Azacitidine-Teva is used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood disorder where the bone marrow doesn’t work normally and fails to produce enough mature blood cells. This causes a lack of healthy blood cells that can function properly in your body.
How It Works
Azacitidine-Teva is an anti-cancer agent that prevents the growth of cancer cells, helping your bone marrow produce healthier blood cells.
Specialist Care: This medication will only be prescribed by a doctor who has experience in treating blood cancers.
How to Take Azacitidine-Teva
Azacitidine-Teva is given as an injection in a hospital or clinic under medical supervision. You cannot take this medication at home.
Dosage Instructions
Your dose depends on your general condition, height, and weight. The usual dose is 75 mg per square meter of body surface area. Initially, you’ll receive Azacitidine-Teva daily for 7 days, then have a 21-day break before starting another 7-day cycle. This 28-day cycle repeats for a minimum of 6 cycles. Your doctor may give you anti-nausea medication before each treatment cycle.
What If You Miss a Dose?
It’s very important to keep all your appointments. If you miss an appointment, contact your doctor immediately to schedule your next dose.
Important: Never attempt to give yourself this medication – it must always be administered by trained healthcare professionals.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Sore throat or trouble swallowing
- Feeling of tension in nose, cheeks or behind eyes
- Runny or blocked nose
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling tired or lacking energy
- Dizziness, headache, anxiety, confusion
- Loss of appetite, decreased weight
- Constipation, stomach pain, indigestion
- Cold sores or bleeding gums
- Red or purple flat spots under skin
- Itching, rash, bruising
- Soreness and swelling at injection site
- Hair loss or thinning
- Muscle or joint pain
- Chest pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reaction (shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling, rash, hives)
- Bleeding in the brain (sudden severe headache, weakness, numbness, vision changes, speech problems)
- Pneumonia (fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, bloody phlegm)
- Blood infection or frequent infections (fever, chills, rapid breathing, confusion, nausea, vomiting)
- Bleeding in gut (vomiting blood, black stools, bloody diarrhea)
- Differentiation syndrome (fever, cough, breathing difficulty, rash, decreased urine, low blood pressure, swelling, rapid weight gain)
- Blood vessel inflammation in skin
- Eye bleeding (eye pain, vision changes)
- Blood in urine
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Azacitidine-Teva treatment.
Who Should Not Take Azacitidine-Teva
Do not use if you are allergic to azacitidine or any ingredients, have advanced liver cancer, are pregnant, or have severe kidney problems.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, heart problems, lung disease, or take any other medications. You’ll need regular blood tests to monitor your blood cells and check that your liver and kidneys are working properly.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use if pregnant. Avoid becoming pregnant during treatment and for up to 6 months after stopping. Use effective contraception. Do not breastfeed while receiving this medication. Men should not father children during treatment and for up to 3 months after, using barrier contraception if partner is of childbearing age.
Differentiation Syndrome: Azacitidine-Teva can cause a serious immune reaction called ‘differentiation syndrome’ – watch for fever, cough, difficulty breathing, rash, decreased urine, low blood pressure, swelling, and rapid weight gain.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Azacitidine-Teva works in your body.
- Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist if unsure about any interactions
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities that require alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Azacitidine-Teva affects you, as it may cause dizziness, fatigue, or confusion.
Storage
Your doctor or pharmacist is responsible for storing Azacitidine-Teva properly and disposing of any unused medication correctly. You do not need to store this medication at home.
Overdose Information
Since Azacitidine-Teva is given under medical supervision, overdose is unlikely. However, if you experience any side effects after receiving the medication, tell your doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatment involves cycles of 7 days of medication followed by 21 days rest, repeated every 28 days for a minimum of 6 cycles. Your doctor will monitor your progress throughout treatment.
No, Azacitidine-Teva must be given in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of an experienced doctor as an injection under the skin or intravenous infusion.
It’s very important to keep all appointments. If you miss one, contact your doctor immediately to schedule your next dose.
No, avoid becoming pregnant during treatment and for up to 6 months after stopping. Use effective contraception and tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.
You’ll have blood tests before treatment begins and at the start of each cycle to check your blood cell counts and ensure your liver and kidneys are working properly.
No, men should not father children during treatment and for up to 3 months after stopping. Use barrier contraception if your partner is of childbearing age.
Always tell any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist that you are receiving Azacitidine-Teva treatment, as it may affect other treatments or medications.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.