AZACITIDINE BETAPHARM 25 MG / ML POWDER FOR SUSPENSION FOR INJECTION - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. what azacitidine betapharm is and what it is used for

What Azacitidine betapharm is

Azacitidine betapharm is an anti-cancer agent which belongs to a group of medicines called ‘anti-metabolites’. Azacitidine betapharm contains the active substance ‘azacitidine’.

What Azacitidine betapharm is used for

Azacitidine betapharm is used in adults who are not able to have a stem cell transplantation to treat:

• higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
• chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML).
• acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

These are diseases which affect the bone marrow and can cause problems with normal blood cell production.

How Azacitidine betapharm works

Azacitidine betapharm works by preventing cancer cells from growing. Azacitidine becomes incorporated into the genetic material of cells (ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)). It is thought to work by altering the way the cell turns genes on and off and also by interfering with the production of new RNA and DNA. These actions are thought to correct problems with the maturation and growth of young blood cells in the bone marrow that cause myelodysplastic disorders, and to kill cancerous cells in leukaemia.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about how Azacitidine betapharm works or why this medicine has been prescribed for you.

2. what you need to know before you use azacitidine betapharm

Do not use Azacitidine betapharm

• if you are allergic to azacitidine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you have advanced liver cancer.
• if you are breast-feeding.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Azacitidine betapharm:

• if you have decreased counts of platelets, red or white blood cells.
• if you have kidney disease.
• if you have liver disease.
• if you have ever had a heart condition or heart attack or any history of lung disease.

Blood test

You will have blood tests before you begin treatment with

Azacitidine betapharm and at the start of each period of treatment (called a ‘cycle’). This is to check that you have enough blood cells and that your liver and kidneys are working properly.

Children and adolescents

Azacitidine betapharm is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below the age of 18.

Other medicines and Azacitidine betapharm

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.

This is because Azacitidine betapharm may affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other medicines may affect the way Azacitidine betapharm works.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

You should not use Azacitidine betapharm during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the baby.

Use an effective method of contraception during and up to 3 months after treatment. Tell your doctor straight away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Breast-feeding

You must not breast-feed when using Azacitidine betapharm. It is not known if this medicine passes into human milk.

Fertility

Men should not father a child while receiving treatment with Azacitidine betapharm. Use an effective method of contraception during and up to 3 months after treatment with this medicine.

Talk to your doctor if you wish to conserve your sperm before starting this treatment.

Driving and using machines

Do not drive or use any tools or machines if you experience side effects, such as tiredness.

3. how to use azacitidine betapharm

Before giving you Azacitidine betapharm, your doctor will give you another medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting at the start of each treatment cycle.

• The recommended dose is 75 mg per m2 body surface area. Your doctor will decide your dose of this medicine, depending on your general condition, height and weight. Your doctor will check your progress and may change your dose if necessary.
• Azacitidine betapharm is given every day for one week, followed by a rest period of 3 weeks. This “treatment cycle” will be repeated every 4 weeks. You will usually receive at least 6 treatment cycles.

This medicine will be given to you as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously) by a doctor or nurse. It may be given under the skin on your thigh, tummy or upper arm.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following side effects:

• Drowsiness, shaking, jaundice, abdominal bloating and easy bruising. These may be symptoms of liver failure and can be life-threatening.
• Swelling of the legs and feet, back pain, reduced passing of water, increased thirst, rapid pulse, dizziness and nausea, vomiting or reduced appetite and feelings of confusion, restlessness or fatigue. These may be symptoms of kidney failure and can be life-threatening.
• A fever. This could be due to an infection as a result of having low levels of white blood cells, which can be life-threatening.
• Chest pain or shortness of breath which may be accompanied with a fever. This may be due to an infection of the lung called “pneumonia”, and can be life-threatening.
• Bleeding. Such as blood in the stools due to bleeding in the stomach or gut, or such as bleeding inside your head. These may be symptoms of having low levels of platelets in your blood.
• Difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, itching or rash. This may be due to an allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction.

Other side effects include:

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• Reduced red blood count (anaemia). You may feel tired and pale.
• Reduced white blood cell count. This may be accompanied by a fever. You are also more likely to get infections.
• A low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia). You are more prone to bleeding and bruising.
• Constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting.
• Pneumonia.
• Chest pain, being short of breath.
• Tiredness (fatigue).
• Injection site reaction including redness, pain or a skin reaction.
• Loss of appetite.
• Joint aches.
• Bruising.
• Rash.
• Red or purple spots under your skin.
• Pain in your belly (abdominal pain).
• Itching.
• Fever.
• Sore nose and throat.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Having trouble sleeping (insomnia).
• Nosebleeds (epistaxis).
• Muscle aches.
• Weakness (asthenia).
• Weight loss.
• Low levels of potassium in your blood.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Bleeding inside your head.
• An infection of the blood caused by bacteria (sepsis). This may be due to low levels of white cells in your blood.
• Bone marrow failure. This can cause low levels of red and white blood cells and platelets.
• A type of anaemia where your red and white blood cells and platelets are reduced.
• An infection in your urine.
• A viral infection causing cold sores (herpes).
• Bleeding gums, bleeding in the stomach or gut, bleeding from around your back passage due to piles (haemorrhoidal haemorrhage), bleeding in your eye, bleeding under your skin, or into your skin (haematoma).
• Blood in your urine.
• Ulcers of your mouth or tongue.
• Changes to your skin at the injection site. These include swelling, a hard lump, bruising, bleeding into your skin (haematoma), rash, itching and changes in the skin colour.
• Redness of your skin.
• Skin infection (cellulitis).
• An infection of the nose and throat, or sore throat.
• Sore or runny nose or sinuses (sinusitis).
• High or low blood pressure (hypertension or hypotension).
• Being short of breath when you move.
• Pain in your throat and voice box.
• Indigestion.
• Lethargy.
• Feeling generally unwell.
• Anxiety
• Being confused.
• Hair loss.
• Kidney failure.
• Dehydration.
• White coating covering tongue, inner cheeks, and sometimes on the roof of your mouth, gums and tonsils (oral fungal infection).
• Fainting.
• A fall in blood pressure when standing (orthostatic hypotension) leading to dizziness when moving to a standing or sitting position.
• Sleepiness, drowsiness (somnolence).
• Bleeding due to a catheter line.
• A disease affecting the gut which can result in fever, vomiting and stomach pain (diverticulitis).
• Fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion).
• Shivering (chills).
• Muscle spasms.
• Raised itchy rash on the skin (urticaria).
• Collection of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion).

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction.
• Shaking.
• Liver failure.
• Large plum-coloured, raised painful patches on the skin with fever.
• Painful skin ulceration (pyoderma gangrenosum).
• Inflammation of the lining around the heart (pericarditis).

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Dry cough.
• Painless swelling in the finger tips (clubbing).
• Tumour lysis syndrome – Metabolic complications that can occur during treatment of cancer and sometimes even without treatment. These complications are caused by the product of dying cancer cells and may include the following: changes to blood chemistry; high potassium, phosphorus, uric acid, and low calcium consequently leading to changes in kidney function, heartbeat, seizures, and sometimes death.

Not known ( frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

• Infection of the deeper layers of skin, which spreads quickly, damaging the skin and tissue, which can be life-threatening (necrotizing fasciitis).

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in the Yellow Card Scheme Website: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store for United Kingdom and report to HPRA Pharmacovigilance Website: for Ireland. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Azacitidine betapharm looks like and contents of the pack

Azacitidine betapharm is a white to off-white powder for suspension for injection and is supplied in a glass vial containing 100 mg of azacitidine. Each pack contains one vial.

Marketing Authorization holder and Manufacturer

Dr. Reddy's Labora­tories (UK) Limited

6 Riverview Road, East Riding Of Yorkshire

HU17 0LD Beverley

United Kingdom

This leaflet was last revised in March 2020

5. how to store azacitidine betapharm

Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse are responsible for storing Azacitidine betapharm. They are also responsible for preparing and disposing of any unused Azacitidine betapharm correctly.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the vial label and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

For unopened vials of this medicine – there are no special storage conditions.

When using immediately

Once the suspension has been prepared it should be administered within 45 minutes.

When using later on

If the Azacitidine betapharm suspension is prepared using water for injections that has not been refrigerated, the suspension must be placed in the refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C) immediately after it is prepared and kept refrigerated for up to a maximum of 8 hours.

If the Azacitidine betapharm suspension is prepared using water for injections that has been stored in the refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C), the suspension must be placed in the refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C) immediately after it is prepared and kept refrigerated for up to a maximum of 22 hours.

The suspension should be allowed to reach room temperature (20 °C to 25 °C) up to 30 minutes prior to administration.

If large particles are present in the suspension it should be discarded.

The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only:

Recommendations for safe handling

Azacitidine betapharm is a cytotoxic medicinal product and, as with other potentially toxic compounds, caution should be exercised when handling and preparing azacitidine suspensions.

Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer medicinal products should be applied.

If reconstituted azacitidine comes into contact with the skin, immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water. If it comes into contact with mucous membranes, flush thoroughly with water.

Incompatibilities

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned below (see “Reconstitution Procedure”).

Reconstitution procedure

Azacitidine betapharm should be reconstituted with water for injections. The shelf life of the reconstituted medicinal product can be extended by reconstituting with refrigerated (2 °C to 8 °C) water for injections. Details on storage of the reconstituted product are provided below.

• 1. The following supplies should be assembled:

• Vial(s) of azacitidine; vial(s) of water for injections; non-sterile surgical gloves; alcohol wipes;

• 5 mL injection syringe(s) with needle(s).

• 2. 4 mL of water for injections should be drawn into the syringe, making sure to purge any air trapped within the syringe.

• 3. The needle of the syringe containing the 4 mL of water for injections should be inserted through the rubber top of the azacitidine vial followed by injection of the water for injections into the vial.

• 4. Following removal of the syringe and needle, the vial should be vigorously shaken until a uniform cloudy suspension is achieved. After reconstitution each mL of suspension will contain 25 mg of azacitidine (100 mg/4 mL). The reconstituted product is a homogeneous, cloudy suspension, free of agglomerates. The product should be discarded if it contains large particles or agglomerates. Do not filter the suspension after reconstitution since this could remove the active substance. It must be taken into account that filters are present in some adaptors, spikes and closed systems; therefore such systems should not be used for administration of the medicinal product after reconstitution .

• 5. The rubber top should be cleaned and a new syringe with needle inserted into the vial. The vial should then be turned upside down, making sure the needle tip is below the level of the liquid.

The plunger should then be pulled back to withdraw the amount of medicinal product required for the proper dose, making sure to purge any air trapped within the syringe. The syringe with needle should then be removed from the vial and the needle disposed of.

• 6. A fresh subcutaneous needle (recommended 25-gauge) should then be firmly attached to the syringe. The needle should not be purged prior to injection, in order to reduce the incidence of local injection site reactions.

• 7. When more than 1 vial is needed all the above steps for preparation of the suspension should be repeated. For doses requiring more than 1 vial, the dose should be equally divided e.g., dose 150 mg = 6 mL, 2 syringes with 3 mL in each syringe. Due to retention in the vial and needle, it may not be feasible to withdraw all of the suspension from the vial.

• 8. The contents of the dosing syringe must be re-suspended immediately prior to administration.