Azacitidine
Azacitidine Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Mechanism of Action, How Long Does it Take to Work? Azacitidine is a brand name. Its generic name is Azacitidine.
Azacitidine Introduction
Azacitidine is an antimetabolite chemotherapy drug used for the treatment of hematopoietic neoplasms. It is a type of pyrimidine analog generally employed for its inhibitory effects on DNA methyltransferase, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression
Uses for Azacitidine
Azacitidine is used to treat cancer of the bone marrow, including acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. It may also be used to treat other conditions such as myeloproliferative neoplasms and lymphomas.
Mechanism of Action
Azacitidine works by blocking the synthesis of nucleic acid, thereby impeding the growth and spread of cancer cells. It works by inhibiting the components which are necessary for nucleic acid synthesis, and as a result, the cancer cells are unable to replicate. It has also been observed to cause epigenetic changes in the cancer cells, thus affecting their survival.
How Long Does It Take to Work?
Azacitidine may take up to several weeks to work, although some patients may respond quicker depending on their condition. It is typically given in a series of intravenous infusions over the course of 4 to 8 weeks, which can cause some patients to start to feel the effects of the drug within that period.
Absorption, Route of Elimination, Dosage
Azacitidine is administered intravenously. It is rapidly and widely distributed throughout the body and is metabolized in the liver. The drug has an elimination half-life of 2 to 9 hours. The usual dose is 75 mg/m2 given once a day for 7 days every 14 days.
Administration
Azacitidine is usually given intravenously (through an IV) in a hospital or clinic setting over a period of several weeks. It can also be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) in some cases. It is sometimes combined with other chemotherapy drugs.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Azacitidine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, fatigue, dizziness, headache, rash, and low blood cell counts. More serious side effects include serious neurologic reactions, infections, and anemia.
Toxicity
The toxicity associated with Azacitidine can be severe, particularly in cases where patients are receiving high doses. Symptoms of overdose can include confusion, arrhythmias, seizures, severe hypotension, and coma. Patients should be closely monitored for signs of toxicity during treatment.
Precautions
Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of toxicity, especially with prolonged use or high doses of Azacitidine. Women who are pregnant should inform their healthcare provider before using this drug. The use of Azacitidine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment is not recommended.
Interactions
Azacitidine may interact with other medications, including anticoagulants, diuretics, anti-cancer medications, and corticosteroids. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking before starting treatment with Azacitidine.
Disease Interaction
Azacitidine may not be suitable for patients with certain pre-existing medical conditions. It should not be used in patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment, or in those with severe bone marrow suppression. Caution should be exercised in patients with diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary disease, and other diseases which may affect blood cell counts.
Drug Interactions
Azacitidine may interact with certain medications, including anticoagulants, diuretics, anti-cancer medications, and corticosteroids. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking before starting treatment with Azacitidine.
Food Interactions
Azacitidine has no known food interactions, but may interact with certain foods when taken in large quantities. It is important to follow the dosage instructions on the package and to avoid taking large amounts of alcohol or caffeine while on Azacitidine.
Pregnancy Use
Azacitidine should not be used during pregnancy, as it may cause harm to the developing fetus. Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should inform their healthcare provider before using this drug.
Lactation Use
There is insufficient information on the use of Azacitidine during lactation. Breastfeeding while taking this drug is not recommended.
Acute Overdose
An overdose of Azacitidine can be life-threatening. Symptoms of overdose can include confusion, arrhythmias, seizures, severe hypotension, and coma. In such cases, patients should seek immediate medical attention.
Contraindication
The use of Azacitidine is contraindicated in patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have pre-existing medical conditions such as renal or hepatic impairment, severe bone marrow suppression, diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary disease, or other diseases which may affect blood cell counts.
Dosage and Use Direction
The usual dose of Azacitidine is 75 mg/m2 given once a day for 7 days every 14 days. The exact dosage and duration of treatment depends on the patient's condition and response to therapy. Patients should take this medication exactly as prescribed by their healthcare provider.
Storage Condition
Azacitidine should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Patients should keep this medication out of reach of children, and it should not be used beyond the expiration date.
Volume of Distribution
Azacitidine has a large volume of distribution of approximately 16 L/kg. This makes it relatively cozy for the drug to be distributed throughout the body.
Half Life
The half-life of Azacitidine is 2 - 9 hours, depending on the dose and the person's age and health status.
Clearance
Azacitidine is rapidly cleared from the body with total body clearance of 0.47 L/h/kg after a single dose.
Here you find in details version of Azacitidine