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Would it be advisable for 80-year AML patient on chemo drugs (azacitidine injection + venetoclax tablet) to switch over to oral chemo drugs

A MyLeukemiaTeam Member asked a question 💭
thane india
October 26, 2025
 · 
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A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

After 8 chemo cycles the cycle time has been reduced from 7 days (azacitidine 100mg iv injection + venetoclax tablets) to 5 days and now based on CBC reports venetoclax tablets reduced to 3 days with 5 days azacitidine course also the interval between chemo cycles has been 4 weeks to 5 weeks.

October 28, 2025
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

There is a big difference with treatment and medication? Treatment to me means toxic chemicals that attack both healthy and cancer cells. A treatment leaves a person very ill. Medication focus is on bad cells and not harming healthy cells. It seems the pill is medication and not chemo. Medication is always better than chemo as not harming the body. Review the possible ill affects the medication can cause? New ill affects can be heart or other organ problems, high blood pressure, brain fog, etc. Be careful and ask questions and get answers.

October 26, 2025
MyLeukemiaTeam

Is it advisable to switch from azacitidine injections and venetoclax tablets to all oral chemotherapy for an 80-year-old with AML?

The combination you're currently using—azacitidine with venetoclax—is actually a well-established treatment specifically designed for older adults with AML. This regimen is already considered a Show Full Answer

Is it advisable to switch from azacitidine injections and venetoclax tablets to all oral chemotherapy for an 80-year-old with AML?

The combination you're currently using—azacitidine with venetoclax—is actually a well-established treatment specifically designed for older adults with AML. This regimen is already considered a gentler option compared to intensive chemotherapy.

Venetoclax is already an oral medication (tablet), so you're already taking one drug by mouth. The azacitidine injections are paired with it because this specific combination has shown effectiveness in elderly patients who cannot tolerate more aggressive treatments.

There is an oral form of azacitidine called Onureg, but it's typically used for maintenance therapy after remission rather than as initial treatment. The injectable azacitidine combined with oral venetoclax remains a standard approach for older adults with AML.

Key points to consider:

- Your current regimen is already designed for older patients who need less intensive treatment
- Switching medications should only be done under careful medical supervision
- The combination you're on has been specifically studied and approved for elderly AML patients

Any changes to treatment should be discussed thoroughly with your healthcare team, as they know your complete medical history and can assess whether modifications would be beneficial or potentially risky.

October 26, 2025
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

I don’t take that

October 26, 2025
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

How many Venetoclax do you take

October 26, 2025

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