Vidaza
- Generic Name: azacitidine
- Brand Name: Vidaza
- Drug Class: How Do Antineoplastic DNA Methylation Inhibitors Work?How Do Antineoplastic DNA Methylation Inhibitors Work?
Vidaza (Azacitidine) side effects drug center
Vidaza Side Effects Center
What Is Vidaza?
Vidaza (azacitidine for injection) is a cancer medication used to treat certain types of bone marrow cancers and blood cell disorders.
What Are Side Effects of Vidaza?
Common side effects of Vidaza include:
- injection site reactions (redness, pain, bruising, irritation),
- tiredness,
- weakness,
- diarrhea,
- headache,
- dizziness,
- anxiety,
- trouble sleeping (insomnia),
- constipation,
- stomach pain,
- nausea and vomiting (may be severe),
- loss of appetite,
- joint or muscle pain, or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat.
Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Vidaza including:
- easy bleeding or bruising,
- chest pain,
- muscle cramps,
- irregular heartbeat,
- swollen ankles or feet,
- mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, depression),
- changes in the amount of urine,
- dark urine, or
- yellowing eyes or skin.
Dosage for Vidaza
The recommended starting dose of Vidaza for the first treatment cycle, for all patients regardless of baseline hematology laboratory values, is 75 mg/m² subcutaneously or intravenously, daily for 7 days. Cycles should be repeated every 4 weeks.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Vidaza?
Other drugs may interact with Vidaza. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use.
Vidaza During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Vidaza is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Men using this medication should avoid causing pregnancy during treatment. It is recommended that men and women use 2 forms of birth control (e.g., condoms and birth control pills) while using this medication and for some time afterward. Consult your doctor to discuss birth control. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding while using this drug is not recommended.
Additional Information
Our Vidaza (azacitidine for injection) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
Vidaza Consumer Information
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
- redness, swelling, warmth, oozing, or other signs of skin infection;
- low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
- signs of a lung infection--fever, cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
- kidney problems--pain in your lower back, blood in your urine, little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles;
- liver problems--upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- low potassium level--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or
- signs of tumor cell breakdown--tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast or slow heart rate, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth.
Common side effects may include:
- fever, chills, bruising, or other signs of low blood cell counts;
- lung infection;
- low potassium;
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
- constipation, diarrhea;
- joint pain, pain in your arms or legs;
- feeling weak or tired;
- dizziness; or
- redness where an injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Vidaza (Azacitidine)
Vidaza Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
The following adverse reactions are described in other labeling sections:
- Anemia, Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Hepatotoxicity in Patients with Severe Pre-existing Hepatic Impairment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Renal Toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Embryo-Fetal Risk [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Most Commonly Occurring Adverse Reactions (Subcutaneous Or Intravenous Route)
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)
Discontinuation: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia.
Dose Held: leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, pyrexia, pneumonia, febrile neutropenia.
Dose Reduced: leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia.
Adverse Reactions In Clinical Trials
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.
The data described below reflect exposure to VIDAZA in 443 MDS patients from 4 clinical studies. Study 1 was a supportive-care controlled trial (subcutaneous administration), Studies 2 and 3 were single arm studies (one with subcutaneous administration and one with intravenous administration), and Study 4 was an international randomized trial (subcutaneous administration) [see Clinical Studies].
In Studies 1, 2 and 3, a total of 268 patients were exposed to VIDAZA, including 116 exposed for 6 cycles (approximately 6 months) or more and 60 exposed for greater than 12 cycles (approximately one year). VIDAZA was studied primarily in supportive-care controlled and uncontrolled trials (n=150 and n=118, respectively). The population in the subcutaneous studies (n=220) was 23 to 92 years old (mean 66.4 years), 68% male, and 94% white, and had MDS or AML. The population in the intravenous study (n=48) was 35 to 81 years old (mean 63.1 years), 65% male, and 100% white. Most patients received average daily doses between 50 and 100 mg/m2.
In Study 4, a total of 175 patients with higher-risk MDS (primarily RAEB and RAEB-T subtypes) were exposed to VIDAZA. Of these patients, 119 were exposed for 6 or more cycles, and 63 for at least 12 cycles. The mean age of this population was 68.1 years (ranging from 42 to 83 years), 74% were male, and 99% were white. Most patients received daily VIDAZA doses of 75 mg/m2.
Table 1 presents adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of patients treated with VIDAZA (subcutaneous) in Studies 1 and 2. It is important to note that duration of exposure was longer for the VIDAZA-treated group than for the observation group: patients received VIDAZA for a mean of 11.4 months while mean time in the observation arm was 6.1 months.
Table 1: Most Frequently Observed Adverse Reactions (≥ 5.0% in All Subcutaneous VIDAZA Treated Patients; Studies 1 and 2)
| Number (%) of Patients | ||
| System Organ Class Preferred Terma | All VIDAZAb (N=220) | Observationc (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 VIDAZA, including patients after crossing over from observations. c Includes adverse reactions from observation period only; excludes any adverse events after crossover to VIDAZA. | ||
Table 2 presents adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of patients treated with VIDAZA in Study 4. Similar to Studies 1 and 2 described above, duration of exposure to treatment with VIDAZA was longer (mean 12.2 months) compared with best supportive care (mean 7.5 months).
Table 2: Most Frequently Observed Adverse Reactions (≥ 5.0% in the VIDAZA Treated Patients and the Percentage with NCI CTC Grade 3/4 Reactions; Study 4)
| System Organ Class Preferred Terma | Number (%) of Patients | |||
| Any Grade | Grade 3/4 | |||
| VIDAZA (N=175) | Best Supportive Care Only (N=102) | VIDAZA (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 VIDAZA, adverse reactions of neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and injection site erythema/reaction tended to increase in incidence with higher doses of VIDAZA. 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. Adverse reactions that appeared to be specifically associated with the intravenous route of administration included infusion site reactions (e.g. erythema or pain) and catheter site reactions (e.g. infection, erythema, or hemorrhage).
In clinical studies of either subcutaneous or intravenous VIDAZA, the following serious adverse reactions occurring at a rate of <5% (and not described in Tables 1 or 2) 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.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of VIDAZA. 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
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Vidaza (Azacitidine)
&Copy; Vidaza Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Vidaza Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.