Onureg (Azacitidine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Onureg Used For?
Onureg is a cancer treatment medication that helps maintain remission in adults with a specific type of blood cancer.
Primary Uses
Onureg is used to treat adults with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a form of cancer that affects your bone marrow and can cause problems with producing normal blood cells. It is specifically used to maintain remission of the illness, which is the time when the disease is less severe or not active.
How It Works
Azacitidine works by preventing cancer cells from growing. It gets into the genetic material of cells (called RNA and DNA) and alters the way cells turn genes on and off. It also reduces the production of new RNA and DNA, which is thought to kill cancer cells in leukaemia.
How to Take Onureg
Onureg should be taken exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The medication follows a specific cycle pattern with treatment and rest periods.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is 300 mg taken by mouth once daily. Your doctor may reduce your dose to 200 mg once daily if needed. Onureg is given in treatment cycles of 28 days. You take Onureg every day for the first 14 days of each 28-day cycle, followed by a treatment-free period of 14 days. Take Onureg once a day at the same time each day. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water – do not break, crush, dissolve or chew them. The tablets can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will give you another medicine to reduce nausea and vomiting, taken 30 minutes before each Onureg tablet during your first and second treatment cycles.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take Onureg at the usual time, take your usual dose as soon as you remember on the same day and take your next dose at the usual time on the following day. If you are sick after taking a tablet, do not take another dose on the same day. Instead, wait until the next day and take your next scheduled dose then.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten or vomited tablet. Never take two doses on the same day.
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:
- constipation
- pain in your belly
- infections of the nose, sinuses and throat
- feeling tired or weak
- loss of appetite
- pain affecting different parts of the body
- stiff joints
- back pain
- hay fever
- anxiety
- loss of weight
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- bruising or bleeding (due to low platelet count)
- fever (could indicate blood infection/sepsis)
- diarrhea, being sick or feeling sick
- infection of the lungs
- infection of the urinary tract
- fatigue, loss of energy, irregular heartbeats, pale complexion, shortness of breath, weakness
- fainting
- flu-like symptoms
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before and while taking Onureg.
Who Should Not Take Onureg
Do not use Onureg if you are allergic to azacitidine or any of the ingredients, if you are breastfeeding, or if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you are intolerant to lactose, as Onureg contains lactose. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking for any condition. Your doctor will conduct blood tests before starting treatment and during treatment to check your blood cell counts and ensure your liver and kidneys are working properly.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Onureg during pregnancy as it may be harmful to your baby. Do not breastfeed while taking Onureg. Women should use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after stopping Onureg. Men should not father a child while receiving treatment and should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after stopping. Onureg may cause fertility problems in women that may affect the ability to have a baby.
Blood Cell Monitoring: This medication can affect your blood cell counts, which requires regular monitoring through blood tests.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Onureg and affect how it works, and Onureg may also affect how other medicines work.
- Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you are taking
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about potential interactions
Alcohol & Driving
Onureg may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Onureg affects you. This medicine may cause tiredness, dizziness, weakness, or trouble concentrating. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings are mentioned in the source material.
Storage
Store the tablets in the original package below 25°C. Keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it. Do not use after the expiry date on the blister and carton.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Onureg, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Take the medicine pack and leaflet with you if possible. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Onureg is used to maintain remission of acute myeloid leukaemia. It works by preventing cancer cells from growing and is taken in 28-day cycles. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular blood tests to check how well the medication is working.
Yes, Onureg tablets can be taken with or without food. Take them at the same time each day with a full glass of water.
If you forget to take Onureg at the usual time, take your usual dose as soon as you remember on the same day, then take your next dose at the usual time the following day. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, you must swallow Onureg tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not break, crush, dissolve, or chew the tablets to ensure you get the right dose. If powder from a broken tablet gets on your skin, wash immediately with soap and water.
If you are sick after taking a tablet, do not take another dose on the same day. Wait until the next day and take your next scheduled dose then. Do not take two doses on the same day.
Your doctor will conduct blood tests before starting treatment and during treatment to check that you have enough blood cells and to ensure your liver and kidneys are working properly. This is important because Onureg can affect blood cell counts.
No, do not take Onureg during pregnancy as it may harm your baby. Women must use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after stopping. Men should also use contraception during treatment and for 3 months after stopping, and should not father a child while receiving treatment.
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.