HEMAZIDE INJECTION contains Azacitidine which belongs to the group of medicines called Anticancer agents. It is used in adults to treat all sub-types of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS; group of cancers associated with blood and bone marrow) and certain types of blood cancers known as Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
In CMML, the bone marrow releases excess amount of monocytes (a type of blood cells) into the blood stream whereas, in the AML the bone marrow releases excess amount of immature white blood cells. Both are characterised by recurrent infections, fever, tiredness and increased bleeding or bruising.
HEMAZIDE INJECTION is typically used in adults who cannot undergo stem cell transplantation. Before receiving HEMAZIDE INJECTION inform your doctor if you have any lung, liver, kidney or heart problems.
HEMAZIDE INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Both men and women of childbearing potential must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with this medicine. Men may seek advice on sperm preservation, if necessary, prior to the therapy with this medicine.
The most common side effects of receiving HEMAZIDE INJECTION are increased bleeding, increased infections, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, stomach pain, weakness, pain and redness at the site of injection, sore nose and throat, cold sores, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, weight loss, ulcers of mouth or tongue and hair loss. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.
USES OF HEMAZIDE INJECTION
It is used in adults to treat:
All sub-types of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS; group of cancers associated with blood and bone marrow)
Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML; blood cancer of monocytes)
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML; blood cancer of WBC)
HOW HEMAZIDE INJECTION WORKS
HEMAZIDE INJECTION is an anticancer medication. It works by blocking the actions of certain enzymes (DNA/RNA methyltransferase) within the cancer cells that is required for the cells to grow and multiply. It also reduces the production of new genetic material (RNA and DNA) within the cells. As a result, it prevents abnormal cell division within the body, slows down the growth of cancer cells and helps the bone marrow to produce normal blood cells.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
HEMAZIDE INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse beneath the skin (subcutaneously) of thighs, arms or abdomen.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
SIDE EFFECTS OF HEMAZIDE INJECTION
COMMON
Low RBC count causing anemia, tiredness and pale skin
Increased infections, lung infections (pneumonia), fever and chills
Increased bleeding tendency due to low blood platelet counts
Nausea, vomiting
Diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, stomach pain
Tiredness, weakness
Injection site reactions (such as pain, redness and swelling or lump formation)
Joint pain, muscle pain, skin rashes with redness and itching
Sore nose and throat, cold sores, sinnusitis
Headache, dizziness
Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
Nosebleeds, bleeding gums
Weight loss
Urinary tract infections
Ulcers of mouth or tongue
High or low blood pressure
Anxiety, confusion
Hair loss, dehydration
Oral fungal infection
Sleepiness
Fluid around the lungs or heart
UNCOMMON
Painful skin ulceration
RARE
Dry cough
Painless swelling in the fingertips
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects after receiving HEMAZIDE INJECTION:
Signs of liver problems (such as yellowing of skin and whites of the eye, drowsiness, shakiness, bloating and easy bruising)
Signs of kidney problems (such as low urine output, swollen feet and legs, back pain, rapid heart rate, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, reduced appetite confusion and restlessness)
Signs of increased infections such as fever
Lung infections causing fever, chest pain and shortness of breath
Bleeding within the head or bleeding within the stomach causing bloody stools, bloody urine, or bleeding under the skin causing red pin points dots to appear on the skin
Signs of allergic reactions (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat which can lead to difficulty in breathing or swallowing, fainting)
Blood infections (sepsis)
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Constipation
Try to eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, and drink plenty of water. Exercise regularly. If this does not help, inform your doctor for receiving alternate treatments for constipation.
Injection Site Reactions
Place an ice pack on the injected site. Do not move the affected area frequently. If the symptom worsens, consult your doctor.
Mouth Ulcers
Avoid eating spicy foods. Drink plenty of water. Apply a pain-relieving gel on the affected areas of the mouth if required. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
CONTRAINDICATED
HEMAZIDE INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may harm the growing baby. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it. Women of childbearing potential must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with HEMAZIDE INJECTION and until 6 months after stopping the therapy. If you accidentally became pregnant while receiving HEMAZIDE INJECTION, inform your doctor immediately.
BREASTFEEDING
CONTRAINDICATED
HEMAZIDE INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
USE WITH CAUTION
HEMAZIDE INJECTION may cause tiredness. Therefore, do not drive or operate any machines if your ability is affected by HEMAZIDE INJECTION.
KIDNEY
USE WITH CAUTION
HEMAZIDE INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it.
LIVER
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
HEMAZIDE INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients with advanced liver cancer. It should be used with caution in patients with other liver diseases. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it.
ALLERGY
CONTRAINDICATED
Talk to your doctor before receiving HEMAZIDE INJECTION if you are allergic to Azacitidine.
LUNGS
USE WITH CAUTION
HEMAZIDE INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with a previous history of lung diseases. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it.
HEART DISEASE
USE WITH CAUTION
HEMAZIDE INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with a previous history of heart attack or any other heart conditions. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it.
USE IN PEDIATRICS
CONTRAINDICATED
HEMAZIDE INJECTION is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years) due to lack of safety data. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice.
USE IN GERIATRICS
USE WITH CAUTION
HEMAZIDE INJECTION should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
OTHERS
Inform your doctor, before receiving HEMAZIDE INJECTION, if you:
Have low RBC, WBC or platelet count in blood
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug - Drug interactions:
Before receiving HEMAZIDE INJECTION, inform your doctor about all the prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines and over-the counter health or herbal supplements taken by you as a precaution.
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more HEMAZIDE INJECTION, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital straight away.
SYNOPSIS
Drug
:
Azacitidine
Pharmacological Category
:
Cytidine Analogs
Therapeutic Indication
:
Blood cancer, Myelodysplastic syndromes
Dosage Forms
:
Injection, Tablet
MORE INFORMATION
Keep HEMAZIDE INJECTION out of reach of children
Before opening: Store HEMAZIDE INJECTION at room temperature
After opening: Store HEMAZIDE INJECTION in refrigerator between 2-8°C
