Vidaza
Generic Name: azacitidine (ay za SYE ti deen)
Brand Names: Vidaza
What is Vidaza?
Vidaza is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Vidaza is used to treat certain types of bone marrow cancers and blood cell disorders.
Vidaza may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Vidaza?
Do not use Vidaza if you are allergic to azacitidine or mannitol, or if you have liver cancer. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.Before receiving Vidaza, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease or liver disease.
If a man fathers a child while using Vidaza, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 4 weeks after you stop using Vidaza.
To be sure Vidaza is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Tell your caregiver right away if this medication accidentally gets on your skin. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with Vidaza, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.Vidaza can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Vidaza?
Do not use Vidaza if you are allergic to azacitidine or mannitol, or if you have liver cancer.Before receiving Vidaza, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease; or
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a history of liver cancer.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive Vidaza, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive Vidaza without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.If a man fathers a child while using this medication, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 4 weeks after you stop using Vidaza.
It is not known whether Vidaza passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.How is Vidaza given?
Vidaza is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein, or as a shot given under the skin. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.
Vidaza must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 1 hour to complete. If you are receiving a shot under your skin, you may require two injections to complete your dose.
You may also be given medications to reduce nausea and vomiting while you are receiving Vidaza.
This medication is usually given for 7 days in a row every 4 weeks for at least 4 treatment cycles. Your treatment schedule may be different. Follow your doctor's instructions.To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Tell your caregiver right away if this medication accidentally gets on your skin. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Vidaza can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your Vidaza injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.Symptoms of an Vidaza overdose may include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
What should I avoid while using Vidaza?
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid getting any of this medicine on your skin. If this does happen, tell your caregiver right away and wash the area with soap and warm water.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with Vidaza, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.Vidaza side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:-
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
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dry mouth, increased thirst, confusion, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting;
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pain, itching, burning, bleeding, or skin changes where the injection was given;
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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swelling, rapid weight gain;
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black, bloody, or tarry stools;
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coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
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seizure (black-out or convulsions);
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urinating less than usual or not at all; or
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severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
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white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
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nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
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diarrhea, constipation;
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redness where the injection was given;
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headache; or
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joint pain.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Vidaza?
There may be other drugs that can affect Vidaza. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist has information about Vidaza written for health professionals that you may read.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
- Click here for more information on Vidaza from the manufacturer.
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More Vidaza resources:
Vidaza - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
