Azadine 100 mg contains azacitidine, a chemotherapy medicine used in the treatment of certain blood cancers and bone marrow disorders. Azacitidine belongs to a class of drugs known as hypomethylating agents. It is most commonly used for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of conditions where the bone marrow does not produce blood cells properly.

This injection is usually administered by a healthcare professional under the skin or into a vein, depending on the patient’s treatment plan. Azadine is often part of long-term therapy aimed at slowing disease progression, reducing symptoms, and improving blood counts.

Mechanism of Action

Azacitidine works at the genetic level. It incorporates into the DNA and RNA of abnormal blood cells and inhibits an enzyme called DNA methyltransferase. This action results in the reduction of abnormal DNA methylation, which is often increased in cancer cells. By reversing this process, azacitidine helps to restore normal function to genes that control cell growth and death.

Over time, this effect can slow the growth of abnormal cells, improve bone marrow function, and increase the production of healthy blood cells.

Therapeutic Uses

Azadine is primarily used in the treatment of the following conditions:

• Myelodysplastic syndromes, including all subtypes as per the World Health Organization classification

• Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

• Acute myeloid leukemia in patients who are not eligible for intensive chemotherapy

Its benefits are most noticeable when used over several cycles of treatment, and it is often considered for patients who are not suitable candidates for bone marrow transplant or more aggressive treatments.

Adverse Effects

Like most chemotherapy agents, Azadine can affect both cancerous and healthy cells, leading to side effects. The severity and type of side effects can vary from person to person.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Injection site reactions such as redness, pain, or swelling

• Low blood cell counts leading to increased risk of infections, bleeding, or fatigue

• Loss of appetite and weight loss