Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library
Myelodysplastic syndrome - azacitidine [5 day]
Treatment Overview
Minimum of 6 cycles then can continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 28 days
- The 5-day azacitidine regimen is an alternative to the preferred 7-day azacitidine regimen and only for use in stable patients.
- The 5-day azacitidine regimen is not to be used for Induction.
Cycle details
Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 28 days
| Medication | Dose | Route | Days | Max Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| azacitidine * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | subcutaneous injection | 1 to 5 |
- The 5-day azacitidine regimen is an alternative to the preferred 7-day azacitidine regimen and only for use in stable patients.
- The 5-day azacitidine regimen is not to be used for Induction.
Full details
Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 28 days
Day: 1
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| azacitidine * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | subcutaneous injection |
Instructions:
Injection site reactions are common with subcutaneous azacitidine. Ensure injection sites are rotated and that new injections are at least 2.5 cm from the previous site. |
Day: 2
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| azacitidine * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | subcutaneous injection |
Instructions:
Injection site reactions are common with subcutaneous azacitidine. Ensure injection sites are rotated and that new injections are at least 2.5 cm from the previous site. |
Day: 3
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| azacitidine * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | subcutaneous injection |
Instructions:
Injection site reactions are common with subcutaneous azacitidine. Ensure injection sites are rotated and that new injections are at least 2.5 cm from the previous site. |
Day: 4
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| azacitidine * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | subcutaneous injection |
Instructions:
Injection site reactions are common with subcutaneous azacitidine. Ensure injection sites are rotated and that new injections are at least 2.5 cm from the previous site. |
Day: 5
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| azacitidine * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | subcutaneous injection |
Instructions:
Injection site reactions are common with subcutaneous azacitidine. Ensure injection sites are rotated and that new injections are at least 2.5 cm from the previous site. |
Supportive Care Factors
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Antifungal prophylaxis: | Routine antifungal prophylaxis may be considered |
| Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes virus: | Routine antiviral prophylaxis may be considered |
| Constipation risk: | Consider prescribing laxatives with this treatment |
| Diarrhoea risk: | Consider prescribing antidiarrhoeals with this treatment |
| Emetogenicity: | Medium |
| Tumour lysis syndrome prophylaxis: | Tumour lysis syndrome prophylaxis may be considered |
Antiviral prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus: Guidance is limited to high-risk anti-cancer medicines. Clinicians will need to assess individual patient risk for other anti-cancer medicines.
* The medicines, doses, combinations, and schedule in this treatment regimen have been carefully reviewed against international best practice guidelines by specialists in medical oncology around New Zealand and this advice has been accepted for publication by Te Aho o Te Kahu (the Cancer Control Agency). Sometimes medicines that are used in routine clinical practice have not been through a formal review process by the NZ Medicines Regulator Medsafe and are therefore considered unapproved or off-label. These medicines are legally able to be prescribed through sections 25 and 29 of the Medicines Act and by obtaining informed consent from patients. All treatment regimens listed on this website have been through robust peer review and are considered an accepted standard of care, whether prescribed through sections 25 or 29 or carrying formal Medsafe Approval.
s29: This symbol indicates that some formulations of the associated medicine are legally only able to be prescribed under section 29 of the Medicines Act. You can see which formulations are section 29 by hovering over the s29 symbol. You can access full medication details from the New Zealand Formulary by clicking on the medication name. Each clinician retains full responsibility for ensuring they have complied with all relevant obligations and requirements of section 29 including obtaining informed patient consent prior to prescribing the applicable medicine.