IDARUBICIN (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Category
Description
Idarubicin (eye-da-RUE-bi-sin) belongs to the general group of medicinesknown as antineoplastics. It is used to treat some kinds of cancer, includingleukemia.
Idarubicin seems to interfere with the growth of cancer cells, which areeventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affectedby idarubicin, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be seriousand must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may notbe serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months oryears after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with idarubicin, you and your doctor shouldtalk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Idarubicin is to be administered only by or under the supervision of yourdoctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
Parenteral- Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For idarubicin, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to idarubicin.
Pregnancy?There is a chance that this medicine may cause birthdefects if either the male or female is receiving it at the time of conceptionor if it is taken during pregnancy. Studies in rats and rabbits have shownthat idarubicin causes birth defects in the fetus and other problems (includingmiscarriage). In addition, many cancer medicines may cause sterility whichcould be permanent. Although sterility has been reported only in male dogswith this medicine, the possibility of an effect in human males should bekept in mind.
Be sure that you have discussed these possible effects with your doctorbefore receiving this medicine. It is best to use some kind of birth controlwhile you are receiving idarubicin. Tell your doctor right away if you thinkyou have become pregnant while receiving idarubicin. Before receiving idarubicinmake sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?Because idarubicin may cause serious side effects,breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.
Children?There is no specific information comparing use ofidarubicin in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Heart problems are more likely to occur in the elderly,who are usually more sensitive to the effects of idarubicin.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receivingidarubicin, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you have ever been treated with x-rays or cancer medicines or if youare taking any of the following:
- Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone) or
- Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) or
- Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
- Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
- Colchicine or
- Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon) or
- Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene) or
- Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A) or
- Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
- Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir)?Idarubicin may increase theeffects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood
- Probenecid (e.g., Benemid) or
- Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane)?Idarubicin may raise the concentrationof uric acid in the blood, which these medicines are used to lower
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of idarubicin. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
- Herpes zoster (shingles)?Risk of severe disease affecting otherparts of the body
- Gout or
- Kidney stones?Idarubicin may increase levels of a chemicalcalled uric acid in the body, which can cause gout or kidney stones
- Heart disease?Risk of heart problems caused by idarubicin maybe increased
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease?Effects may be increased because of slower removalof idarubicin from the body
Proper Use of This Medicine
Idarubicinis sometimes given together with certain other medicines. If you are receivinga combination of medicines, it is important that you receive each one at theproper time. If you are taking some of these medicines by mouth, ask yourhealth care professional to help you plan a way to take them at the righttimes.
While you are receiving this medicine, your doctor may want you to drinkextra fluids so that you will pass more urine. This will help prevent kidneyproblems and keep your kidneys working well.
Idarubicin often causes nausea and vomiting. However, it is very importantthat you continue to receive it, even if you begin to feel ill. Ask your healthcare professional for ways to lessen these effects.
Dosing?The dose of idarubicin will be different fordifferent patients. The dose that is used may depend on a number of things,including what the medicine is being used for, the patient's size, and whetheror not other medicines are also being taken. If you arereceiving idarubicin at home, follow your doctor's orders or the directionson the label. If you have any questions about the proper dose of idarubicin,ask your doctor.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check forunwanted effects.
While you are being treated with idarubicin, and after you stop treatmentwith it, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations)without your doctor's approval. Idarubicin may lower your body's resistance,and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meantto prevent. In addition, other persons living in your household should nottake oral polio vaccine since there is a chance they could pass the poliovirus on to you. Also, avoid persons who have taken oral polio vaccine. Donot get close to them, and do not stay in the same room with them for verylong. If you cannot take these precautions, you should consider wearing aprotective face mask that covers the nose and mouth.
Idarubicin can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in yourblood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower thenumber of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If thisoccurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your bloodcount is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:
- If you can, avoid people with infections. Checkwith your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infectionor if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain,or painful or difficult urination.
- Check with your doctor immediately ifyou notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood inurine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
- Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick.Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean yourteeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental workdone.
- Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you havejust washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
- Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects suchas a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
- Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injurycould occur.
If idarubicin accidentally seeps out of the vein into which it is injected,it may damage some tissues and cause scarring. Tell thehealth care professional right away if you notice redness, pain, or swellingat the place of injection.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Also, because of the way cancer medicines act on the body, there is a chancethat they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until monthsor years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certaintypes of cancer. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.
Check with your health care professional assoon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Other side effectsmay occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects maygo away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, yourhealth care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent orreduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professionalif any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if youhave any questions about them:
Idarubicin causes the urine to turnreddish in color, which may stain clothes. This is not blood. It is perfectlynormal and lasts for only a day or two after each dose is given.
This medicine often causes a temporary and total loss of hair. After treatmentwith idarubicin has ended, normal hair growth should return.
After you stop receiving idarubicin, it maystill produce some side effects that need attention. During this period oftime, check with your health care professional immediately if you notice any of the following side effects:
Fast or irregular heartbeat; shortnessof breath; swelling of feet and lower legs
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health careprofessional.
Revised: 03/09/2001
