Azacitidine - Oral

Azacitidine is used to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (a type of blood cancer where the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells).

Take Azacitidine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Try to take it at the same time each day.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the severity of your condition and your response to the medication.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

It is important that you do not get pregnant while taking this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods during Azacitidine therapy and for at least 6 months after stopping the treatment.

Men should not father a child while being treated with Azacitidine. Men must use proven birth control methods during Azacitdine therapy and for 3 months after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.

Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with Azacitidine.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• heart disease
• lung disease

For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests to check your body's response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have blood tests.

Azacitidine may cause tiredness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, stomach pain, mouth sore or irritation, lack of appetite, headache, tiredness, difficulty sleeping, and muscle or joint pain.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• muscle cramps, twitches, weakness, numbness or tingling, diarrhoea, fatigue
• red, painful lump on the skin that spreads

This medicine will cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.

White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.

Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.

As Azacitidine is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired tablet to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.