Table of Contents

1. What is Azacitidine?
2. Do You Need a Prescription for Azacitidine?
3. How Does Azacitidine Work?
4. Common Side Effects of Azacitidine
5. What Should You Not Take with Azacitidine?
6. Conclusion
7. References

What is Azacitidine?

Azacitidine is a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain types of cancer. It is used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of blood disorders caused by damaged bone marrow cells. It is also used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Azacitidine is a type of drug known as a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor. It works by blocking the production of certain proteins that are needed for cancer cells to grow and divide.

Do You Need a Prescription for Azacitidine?

Yes, you need a prescription from your doctor to get azacitidine. Your doctor will determine if azacitidine is the right treatment for you based on your medical history and the type of cancer you have.

How Does Azacitidine Work?

Azacitidine works by blocking the production of certain proteins that are needed for cancer cells to grow and divide. It also works by stimulating the production of healthy blood cells in the bone marrow.

Common Side Effects of Azacitidine

Common side effects of azacitidine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, chills, and low blood cell counts. Other side effects may include hair loss, mouth sores, and skin rash.

What Should You Not Take with Azacitidine?

You should not take any other medications while taking azacitidine, unless your doctor tells you to. This includes over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Conclusion

Azacitidine is a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain types of cancer, such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It works by blocking the production of certain proteins that are needed for cancer cells to grow and divide, and by stimulating the production of healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. Common side effects of azacitidine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, chills, and low blood cell counts. You should not take any other medications while taking azacitidine, unless your doctor tells you to.

References

1. National Cancer Institute. (2020). Azacitidine. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/azacitidine
2. Mayo Clinic. (2020). Azacitidine. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/azacitidine-oral-route/description/drg-20068510