Managing Potential Side Effects of Onureg
In the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Onureg (oral azacitidine) is a prescription brand-name medication approved by the FDA for certain adults [1]. While Onureg can be effective, it's essential to be aware of its potential side effects, particularly those that may persist or recur during extended treatment courses.
Onureg may cause a range of common side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, joint pain, dizziness, fatigue, abdominal pain, decrease in appetite, pain in arms or legs, and weakness [2]. Some individuals may also experience less common side effects like headache, muscle or joint pain, and dizziness, which may require medication to alleviate [3].
One of the key long-term concerns with Onureg is the risk of hematological toxicities, including infections and bleeding, as well as organ toxicity, specifically affecting the kidneys and liver [1][3][4][5]. Patients with pre-existing liver or kidney issues may have an increased risk of serious side effects when using azacitidine [3].
Dizziness and nausea are two side effects that may be treated with medication recommendations from your doctor. For instance, your doctor may suggest taking a nausea medication during your first two treatment cycles [6]. If dizziness persists, appropriate measures may be taken to help manage the symptom.
It's worth noting that Onureg should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and breastfeeding during treatment or for at least one week after the last dose of Onureg is not recommended [2].
Females who can become pregnant will undergo a pregnancy test before their first dose of Onureg and will be advised to use birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after their last dose. Males with partners who can become pregnant should continue using birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after stopping treatment [2].
In rare cases, more serious side effects such as low white blood cell levels leading to febrile neutropenia, pneumonia, and allergic reactions may occur [7]. If you experience symptoms like cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, skin rash, itching, flushing, swelling, or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor right away or call 911 or your local emergency number for serious symptoms [2][7].
Onureg is available in the form of oral tablets and belongs to the drug class of nucleoside metabolic blockers, with the active ingredient being azacitidine [8].
If you have additional questions or concerns about side effects that may occur during treatment with Onureg, it's always best to discuss them with your doctor. If you develop a side effect while taking Onureg and want to report it to the FDA, you can visit MedWatch.
[1] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fda-drug-safety-communication-onureg-oral-azacitidine-used-treat-acute-myeloid-leukemia-aml [2] https://www.onureg.com/patient/safety-information [3] https://www.cancer.net/content/drug-information/5585/Onureg-oral-azacitidine [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7030321/ [5] https://www.oncologyexpert.com/oncology/onureg-oral-azacitidine-for-aml/ [6] https://www.drugs.com/sfx/onureg-side-effects.html [7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/onureg-oral-azacitidine/side-effects/drg-20122024 [8] https://www.rxlist.com/onureg-drug.htm
- To manage the side effects of Onureg during treatment, your doctor may recommend medication for symptoms such as dizziness and nausea.
- Patients with pre-existing liver or kidney issues may be at an increased risk of serious side effects when using Onureg.
- Some medical-conditions, such as low white blood cell levels, pneumonia, and allergic reactions, are potential severe health-and-wellness issues that may occur with Onureg, necessitating immediate medical attention.
