MDS Advocacy and Support Groups

Helpful Links

The following groups and foundations can provide you with more information about MDS.

American Cancer Society (ACS)

1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org

Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, Inc.

1-800-747-2820
www.aamds.org

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

1-800-955-4572
www.lls.org

Leukemia Research Foundation

1-888-558-5385
www.leukemia-research.org

Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation

1-800-MDS-0839 (1-800-637-0839)
www.mds-foundation.org

National Cancer Institute

1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
www.cancer.gov

This list of independent organizations is provided as an additional resource for obtaining information related to MDS. Inclusion on this list does not indicate endorsement by Celgene Corporation of an organization or its communications.

Please see Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information.

Indication

VIDAZA is indicated for treatment of patients with the following French-American-British (FAB) myelodysplastic syndrome subtypes: refractory anemia (RA) or refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS) (if accompanied by neutropenia or thrombocytopenia or requiring transfusions), refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB), refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation (RAEB-T), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMMoL).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

VIDAZA is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to azacitidine or mannitol and in patients with advanced malignant hepatic tumors.
In Studies 1 and 2, the most commonly occurring adverse reactions by SC route were nausea (70.5%), anemia (69.5%), thrombocytopenia (65.5%), vomiting (54.1%), pyrexia (51.8%), leukopenia (48.2%), diarrhea (36.4%), injection site erythema (35.0%), constipation (33.6%), neutropenia (32.3%), and ecchymosis (30.5%). Other adverse reactions included dizziness (18.6%), chest pain (16.4%), febrile neutropenia (16.4%), myalgia (15.9%), injection site reaction (13.6%), and malaise (10.9%). In Study 3, the most common adverse reactions by IV route also included petechiae (45.8%), weakness (35.4%), rigors (35.4%), and hypokalemia (31.3%).
In Study 4, the most commonly occurring adverse reactions were thrombocytopenia (69.7%), neutropenia (65.7%), anemia (51.4%), constipation (50.3%), nausea (48.0%), injection site erythema (42.9%), and pyrexia (30.3%). The most commonly occurring Grade 3/4 adverse reactions were neutropenia (61.1%), thrombocytopenia (58.3%), leukopenia (14.9%), anemia (13.7%) and febrile neutropenia (12.6%).
Because treatment with VIDAZA is associated with anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, complete blood counts should be performed as needed to monitor response and toxicity, but at a minimum, prior to each dosing cycle.
Because azacitidine is potentially hepatotoxic in patients with severe preexisting hepatic impairment, caution is needed in patients with liver disease. In addition, azacitidine and its metabolites are substantially excreted by the kidneys and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, it may be useful to monitor renal function.
VIDAZA may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Men should be advised not to father a child while receiving VIDAZA.
Nursing mothers should be advised to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into consideration the importance of the drug to the mother.

Please see full Prescribing Information.