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AZACITIDINE is a brand name for Azacitidine. The medicine, its uses, side effects and dosage are the same regardless of brand.
Used for: 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Azacitidine for injection is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor indicated for the treatment of: Adult patients with the following FAB myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) subtypes: Refractory anemia (RA) or refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS) (if accompanied by neutropenia or…
Verbatim from this product's FDA label. Tap a section to expand.
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Do not substitute Azacitidine for injection for oral azacitidine. 1 ).
MDS:
The recommended starting dosage for the first treatment cycle, for all patients regardless of baseline hematology values, is Azacitidine for injection 75 mg/m 2 daily for 7 days to be administered by subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion.
See full prescribing information for schedule for subsequent cycles. 2 ). 3 ). 7 ). 1 Important Administration Information Do not substitute Azacitidine for injection for oral azacitidine. 2 First Treatment Cycle for Adults The recommended starting dose for the first treatment cycle, for all patients regardless of baseline hematology laboratory values, is 75 mg/m 2 subcutaneously or intravenously, daily for 7 days.
Premedicate patients for nausea and vomiting. Obtain complete blood counts, liver chemistries and serum creatinine prior to the first dose. 3 Subsequent Treatment Cycles for Adults Repeat cycles every 4 weeks. The dose may be increased to 100 mg/m 2 if no beneficial effect is seen after 2 treatment cycles and if no toxicity other than nausea and vomiting has occurred.
It is recommended that patients be treated for a minimum of 4 to 6 cycles. However, complete or partial response may require additional treatment cycles. Treatment may be continued as long as the patient continues to benefit. 6) ] . Pediatric use information is approved for Celgene Corporation's Vidaza (azacitidine for injection).
However, due to Celgene Corporation's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information. 5 x10 9 /L, or platelets less than 75 x 10 9 /L, base dose adjustments on nadir counts and bone marrow biopsy cellularity at the time of the nadir as noted below, unless there is clear improvement in differentiation (percentage of mature granulocytes is higher and ANC is higher than at onset of that course) at the time of the next cycle, in which case continue the current dose.
WBC or Platelet Nadir % decrease in counts from baseline Bone Marrow Biopsy Cellularity at Time of Nadir (%) 30-60 15-30 Less than15 % Dose in the Next Course 50-75 100 50 33 Greater than 75 75 50 33 If a nadir as defined in the table above has occurred, give the next course 28 days after the start of the preceding course, provided that both the WBC and the platelet counts are greater than 25% above the nadir and rising.
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (>30%) in adult patients with MDS by subcutaneous route are: nausea, anemia, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, pyrexia, leukopenia, diarrhea, injection site erythema, constipation, neutropenia and ecchymosis.
1 ). gov/medwatch. 1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
MDS The data described below reflect exposure to Azacitidine in 443 patients with MDS from 4 clinical studies. 1) ]. In Studies 1, 2 and 3, a total of 268 patients were exposed to Azacitidine, including 116 exposed for 6 cycles (approximately 6 months) or more and 60 exposed for greater than 12 cycles (approximately one year).
Azacitidine was studied primarily in supportive-care controlled and uncontrolled trials (n=150 and n=118, respectively). 4 years), 68% male, and 94% white, and had MDS or AML. 1 years), 65% male, and 100% white. Most patients received average daily doses between 50 and 100 mg/m 2 .
In Study 4, a total of 175 patients with higher-risk MDS (primarily RAEB and RAEB-T subtypes) were exposed to Azacitidine. Of these patients, 119 were exposed for 6 or more cycles, and 63 for at least 12 cycles. 1 years (ranging from 42 to 83 years), 74% were male, and 99% were white.
Most patients received daily Azacitidine doses of 75 mg/m 2 . Most Commonly Occurring Adverse Reactions (Subcutaneous or Intravenous Route) in Adult Patients with MDS: nausea, anemia, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, pyrexia, leukopenia, diarrhea, injection site erythema, constipation, neutropenia, ecchymosis.
The most common adverse reactions by intravenous route also included petechiae, rigors, weakness and hypokalemia. Adverse Reactions Most Frequently (>2%) Resulting in Clinical Intervention (Subcutaneous or Intravenous Route) in Adult Patients with MDS: Discontinuation: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia.
1 ). 2 ). 3 ). 4 ).
Tumor Lysis Syndrome :
Azacitidine may cause fatal or serious tumor lysis syndrome, including in patients with MDS. 5 ).
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity :
Azacitidine can cause fetal harm. 6 ). 3) ], the recommended dose and schedule for Azacitidine for Injection are different from those of oral azacitidine products. Treatment of patients using Azacitidine for Injection at the recommended dosage of oral azacitidine may result in a fatal adverse reaction.
Treatment of patients using oral azacitidine at the doses recommended for Azacitidine may not be effective. 1) ]. 2 Anemia, Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia Azacitidine causes anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in adult patients with MDS.
Monitor complete blood counts frequently for response and/or toxicity, at a minimum, prior to each dosing cycle. 5) ]. Pediatric use information is approved for Celgene Corporation's Vidaza (azacitidine for injection). However, due to Celgene Corporation's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
3 Hepatotoxicity in Patients with Severe Pre-existing Hepatic Impairment Because azacitidine is potentially hepatotoxic in patients with severe pre-existing hepatic impairment, caution is needed in patients with liver disease. Patients with extensive tumor burden due to metastatic disease have been reported to experience progressive hepatic coma and death during azacitidine treatment, especially in such patients with baseline albumin <30 g/L.
1) ]. Monitor liver chemistries prior to initiation of therapy and with each cycle. Safety and effectiveness of Azacitidine in patients with MDS and hepatic impairment have not been studied as these patients were excluded from the clinical trials.
1 ). 2 ). 3) ]. 2 Hypersensitivity to Azacitidine or Mannitol Azacitidine is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to azacitidine or mannitol.
Not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and follow your prescriber or pharmacist.
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If a greater than 25% increase above the nadir is not seen by day 28, reassess counts every 7 days. If a 25% increase is not seen by day 42, reduce the scheduled dose by 50%. Pediatric use information is approved for Celgene Corporation's Vidaza (azacitidine for injection).
However, due to Celgene Corporation's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information. 6 Dosage Adjustment Based on Serum Electrolytes and Renal Toxicity If unexplained reductions in serum bicarbonate levels to less than 20 mEq/L occur, reduce the dosage by 50% for the next course.
4) ]. 7 Use in Geriatric Patients Azacitidine and its metabolites are known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. 5) ]. 8 Preparation of Azacitidine for Injection Azacitidine for injection is a hazardous drug.
Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1 The Azacitidine for injection vial is single-dose and does not contain any preservatives. Discard unused portions of each vial properly [ see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16) ].
Do not save any unused portions for later administration. 9 Instructions for Subcutaneous Administration Reconstitute Azacitidine for injection aseptically with 4 mL Sterile Water for Injection, USP to obtain a concentration of 25 mg/mL.
Inject the diluent slowly into the vial. Vigorously shake or roll the vial until a uniform suspension is achieved. The suspension will be cloudy. Do not filter the suspension after reconstitution. Doing so could remove the active substance.
, dose 150 mg = 6 mL, 2 syringes with 3 mL in each syringe) and inject into two separate sites. Due to retention in the vial and needle, it may not be feasible to withdraw all of the suspension from the vial. The product may be held at room temperature for up to 1 hour, but must be administered within 1 hour after reconstitution.
Preparation for Delayed Subcutaneous Administration :
The reconstituted product may be kept in the vial or drawn into a syringe. , dose 150 mg = 6 mL, 2 syringes with 3 mL in each syringe) and inject into two separate sites. Due to retention in the vial and needle, it may not be feasible to withdraw all of the suspension from the vial.
The product must be refrigerated immediately. See Table 2 for suspension stability storage timelines based on the temperature of the diluent for delayed subcutaneous administration. After removal from refrigerated conditions, the suspension may be allowed to equilibrate to room temperature for up to 30 minutes prior to administration.
Subcutaneous Administration To provide a homogeneous suspension, the contents of the dosing syringe must be re-suspended immediately prior to administration. To re-suspend, vigorously roll the syringe between the palms until a uniform, cloudy suspension is achieved.
Azacitidine for injection suspension is administered subcutaneously. Rotate sites for each injection (thigh, abdomen, or upper arm). New injections should be given at least one inch from an old site and never into areas where the site is tender, bruised, red, or hard.
Table 2 Suspension Stability :
Storage timelines based on the temperature of the diluent for suspension stability storage: Suspension Stability Storage timelines Diluent Storage Temperature/Duration Room temperature (25°C / 77°F) Sterile Water for Injection, USP Store at room temperature at 25°C (77°F) for up to 1 hour or refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 8 hours.
Cold (2°C to 8°C / 36°F to 46°F) Sterile Water for Injection, USP Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 22 hours. 10 Instructions for Intravenous Administration Parenteral drug product should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
Do not use the product if there is evidence of particulate matter or discoloration. Adult Patients with MDS Reconstitute the appropriate number of Azacitidine for injection vials to achieve the desired dose. Reconstitute each vial with 10 mL Sterile Water for Injection, USP.
Vigorously shake or roll the vial until all solids are dissolved. The resulting solution will contain azacitidine 10 mg/mL. The solution should be clear. 9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or Lactated Ringer's Injection, USP. Intravenous Solution Incompatibility Azacitidine for injection is incompatible with 5% Dextrose Injection, USP solutions, Hespan, or solutions that contain bicarbonate.
These solutions have the potential to increase the rate of degradation of Azacitidine for injection and should therefore be avoided. Intravenous Administration Azacitidine for injection solution is administered intravenously. Administer the total dose over a period of 10 - 40 minutes.
The administration must be completed within 1 hour of reconstitution of the Azacitidine for injection vial.
Solution Stability :
Azacitidine for injection reconstituted and diluted for intravenous administration may be stored at 25°C (77°F), but administration must be completed within 1 hour of reconstitution. Pediatric use information is approved for Celgene Corporation's Vidaza (azacitidine for injection).
However, due to Celgene Corporation's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
Dose Held: leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, pyrexia, pneumonia, febrile neutropenia. Dose Reduced: leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia. Table 3 presents adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of patients treated with Azacitidine (subcutaneous) in Studies 1 and 2.
1 months.
Table 3:
Most Frequently Observed Adverse Reactions (≥ 5% in All Subcutaneous Azacitidine Treated Patients; Studies 1 and 2) Number (%) of Patients System Organ Class Preferred Term a All Azacitidine b (N=220) Observation c (N=92) Blood and lymphatic system disorders Anemia 153 (70) 59 (64) Anemia aggravated 12 (6) 5 (5) Febrile neutropenia 36 (16) 4 (4) Leukopenia 106 (48) 27 (29) Neutropenia 71 (32) 10 (11) Thrombocytopenia 144 (66) 42 (46) Gastrointestinal disorders Abdominal tenderness 26 (12) 1 (1) Constipation 74 (34) 6 (7) Diarrhea 80 (36) 13 (14) Gingival bleeding 21 (10) 4 (4) Loose stools 12 (6) 0 Mouth hemorrhage 11 (5) 1 (1) Nausea 155 (71) 16 (17) Stomatitis 17 (8) 0 Vomiting 119 (54) 5 (5) General disorders and administration site conditions Chest pain 36 (16) 5 (5) Injection site bruising 31 (14) 0 Injection site erythema 77 (35) 0 Injection site granuloma 11 (5) 0 Injection site pain 50 (23) 0 Injection site pigmentation changes 11 (5) 0 Injection site pruritus 15 (7) 0 Injection site reaction 30 (14) 0 Injection site swelling 11 (5) 0 Lethargy 17 (8) 2 (2) Malaise 24 (11) 1 (1) Pyrexia 114 (52) 28 (30) Infections and infestations Nasopharyngitis 32 (15) 3 (3) Pneumonia 24 (11) 5 (5) Upper respiratory tract infection 28 (13) 4 (4) Injury, poisoning, and procedural complications Post procedural hemorrhage 13 (6) 1 (1) Metabolism and nutrition disorders Anorexia 45 (21) 6 (7) Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Arthralgia 49 (22) 3 (3) Chest wall pain 11 (5) 0 Myalgia 35 (16) 2 (2) Nervous system disorders Dizziness 41 (19) 5 (5) Headache 48 (22) 10 (11) Psychiatric disorders Anxiety 29 (13) 3 (3) Insomnia 24 (11) 4 (4) Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Dyspnea 64 (29) 11 (12) Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Dry skin 11 (5) 1 (1) Ecchymosis 67 (31) 14 (15) Erythema 37 (17) 4 (4) Rash 31 (14) 9 (10) Skin nodule 11 (5) 1 (1) Urticaria 13 (6) 1 (1) Vascular disorders Hematoma 19 (9) 0 Hypotension 15 (7) 2 (2) Petechiae 52 (24) 8 (9) a Multiple terms of the same preferred terms for a patient are only counted once within each treatment group.
b Includes adverse reactions from all patients exposed to Azacitidine, including patients after crossing over from observations. c Includes adverse reactions from observation period only; excludes any adverse events after crossover to Azacitidine.
Table 4 presents adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of patients treated with Azacitidine in Study 4. 5 months).
Table 4:
Most Frequently Observed Adverse Reactions (≥ 5% in the Azacitidine Treated Patients and the Percentage with NCI CTC Grade 3/4 Reactions; Study 4) Number (%) of Patients Any Grade Grade 3/4 System Organ Class Preferred Term a Azacitidine (N=175) Best Supportive Care Only (N=102) Azacitidine (N=175) Best Supportive Care Only (N=102) Blood and lymphatic system disorders Anemia 90 (51) 45 (44) 24 (14) 9 (9) Febrile neutropenia 24 (14) 10 (10) 22 (13) 7 (7) Leukopenia 32 (18) 2 (2) 26 (15) 1 (1) Neutropenia 115 (66) 29 (28) 107 (61) 22 (22) Thrombocytopenia 122 (70) 35 (34) 102 (58) 29 (28) Gastrointestinal disorders Abdominal pain 22 (13) 7 (7) 7 (4) 0 Constipation 88 (50) 8 (8) 2 (1) 0 Dyspepsia 10 (6) 2 (2) 0 0 Nausea 84 (48) 12 (12) 3 (2) 0 Vomiting 47 (27) 7 (7) 0 0 General disorders and administration site conditions Fatigue 42 (24) 12 (12) 6 (3) 2 (2) Injection site bruising 9 (5) 0 0 0 Injection site erythema 75 (43) 0 0 0 Injection site hematoma 11 (6) 0 0 0 Injection site induration 9 (5) 0 0 0 Injection site pain 33 (19) 0 0 0 Injection site rash 10 (6) 0 0 0 Injection site reaction 51 (29) 0 1 (1) 0 Pyrexia 53 (30) 18 (18) 8 (5) 1 (1) Infections and infestations Rhinitis 10 (6) 1 (1) 0 0 Upper respiratory tract infection 16 (9) 4 (4) 3 (2) 0 Urinary tract infection 15 (9) 3 (3) 3 (2) 0 Investigations Weight decreased 14 (8) 0 1 (1) 0 Metabolism and nutrition disorders Hypokalemia 11 (6) 3 (3) 3 (2) 3 (3) Nervous system disorders Lethargy 13 (7) 2 (2) 0 1 (1) Psychiatric disorders Anxiety 9 (5) 1 (1) 0 0 Insomnia 15 (9) 3 (3) 0 0 Renal and urinary disorders Hematuria 11 (6) 2 (2) 4 (2) 1 (1) Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Dyspnea 26 (15) 5 (5) 6 (3) 2 (2) Dyspnea exertional 9 (5) 1 (1) 0 0 Pharyngolaryngeal pain 11 (6) 3 (3) 0 0 Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Erythema 13 (7) 3 (3) 0 0 Petechiae 20 (11) 4 (4) 2 (1) 0 Pruritus 21 (12) 2 (2) 0 0 Rash 18 (10) 1 (1) 0 0 Vascular disorders Hypertension 15 (9) 4 (4) 2 (1) 2 (2) a Multiple reports of the same preferred term from a patient were only counted once within each treatment.
In Studies 1, 2 and 4 with subcutaneous administration of Azacitidine, adverse reactions of neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and injection site erythema/reaction tended to increase in incidence with higher doses of Azacitidine.
Adverse reactions that tended to be more pronounced during the first 1 to 2 cycles of subcutaneous treatment compared with later cycles included thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia, nausea, vomiting, injection site erythema/pain/bruising/reaction, constipation, petechiae, dizziness, anxiety, hypokalemia, and insomnia.
There did not appear to be any adverse reactions that increased in frequency over the course of treatment. Overall, adverse reactions were qualitatively similar between the intravenous and subcutaneous studies. g. g. infection, erythema, or hemorrhage).
In clinical studies of either subcutaneous or intravenous Azacitidine, the following serious adverse reactions occurring at a rate of < 5% (and not described in Tables 2 or 3) were reported: Blood and lymphatic system disorders : agranulocytosis, bone marrow failure, pancytopenia splenomegaly.
Cardiac disorders : atrial fibrillation, cardiac failure, cardiac failure congestive, cardiorespiratory arrest, congestive cardiomyopathy. Eye disorders : eye hemorrhage Gastrointestinal disorders : diverticulitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, melena, perirectal abscess.
General disorders and administration site conditions : catheter site hemorrhage, general physical health deterioration, systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Hepatobiliary disorders : cholecystitis. Immune system disorders : anaphylactic shock, hypersensitivity.
Infections and infestations : abscess limb, bacterial infection, cellulitis, blastomycosis, injection site infection, Klebsiella sepsis, neutropenic sepsis, pharyngitis streptococcal, pneumonia Klebsiella, sepsis, septic shock, Staphylococcal bacteremia, Staphylococcal infection, toxoplasmosis.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders : dehydration. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders : bone pain aggravated, muscle weakness, neck pain. Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified : leukemia cutis. Nervous system disorders : cerebral hemorrhage, convulsions, intracranial hemorrhage.
Renal and urinary disorders : loin pain, renal failure. Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders : hemoptysis, lung infiltration, pneumonitis, respiratory distress. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : pyoderma gangrenosum, rash pruritic, skin induration.
Surgical and medical procedures : cholecystectomy. Vascular disorders : orthostatic hypotension. Pediatric use information is approved for Celgene Corporation's Vidaza (azacitidine for injection). However, due to Celgene Corporation's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of Azacitidine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
- Interstitial lung disease - Tumor lysis syndrome - Injection site necrosis - Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) - Necrotizing fasciitis (including fatal cases) - Differentiation syndrome - Pericardial effusion - Pericarditis - Cutaneous vasculitis
Pediatric use information is approved for Celgene Corporation's Vidaza (azacitidine for injection). However, due to Celgene Corporation's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information. 4 Renal Toxicity Renal toxicity ranging from elevated serum creatinine to renal failure and death have been reported in patients treated with intravenous azacitidine in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for non-MDS conditions.
In addition, renal tubular acidosis, defined as a fall in serum bicarbonate to <20 mEq/L in association with an alkaline urine and hypokalemia (serum potassium <3 mEq/L) developed in 5 patients with CML treated with azacitidine and etoposide.
Monitor serum creatinine and electrolytes prior to initiation of therapy and with each cycle. 6) ]. Patients with renal impairment may be at increased risk for renal toxicity. Also, azacitidine and its metabolites are primarily excreted by the kidney.
7) ]. Patients with MDS and renal impairment were excluded from the clinical studies. Pediatric use information is approved for Celgene Corporation's Vidaza (azacitidine for injection). However, due to Celgene Corporation's marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
5 Tumor Lysis Syndrome Azacitidine may cause fatal or serious tumor lysis syndrome, including in patients with MDS. Tumor lysis syndrome may occur despite concomitant use of allopurinol. Assess baseline risk and monitor and treat as appropriate.
6 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on the mechanism of action and findings in animals, azacitidine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Azacitidine administered to pregnant rats via a single intraperitoneal (IP) dose approximating 8% of the recommended human daily dose caused fetal death and anomalies.
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Azacitidine and for 6 months after the last dose. 3) ] .