IDARUBICIN

Idarubicin must be given only by injection slowly into a vein. It may cause severe damage if this medication accidentally leaks into the skin/muscle around the injection site.

This medication may infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) heart problems (including heart failure).

Idarubicin may cause certain severe blood and bone marrow disorders (low red blood cells/white blood cells/platelets) which can affect your body’s ability to stop bleeding or fight infection.

Very rarely, people with cancer who are treated with this type of medication have developed other cancers (e.g., secondary leukemia).

Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems before starting treatment with this medication.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if these effects persist or worsen:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• abdominal cramps
• diarrhea
• headache

Temporary hair loss is a common side effect. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• severe abdominal pain
• mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion)
• numbness/tingling of arms/legs
• rash/blisters on palms of hands/soles of feet
• unusual bleeding/bruising (e.g., small red spots on the skin, black/bloody stools, bloody urine, vomit that looks like coffee grounds)

Pain or sores in the mouth and throat may occur.

Get medical help right away if seizure occurs.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

• Allergic reaction to this medication
• Patients with medical history of:
  • blood/bleeding disorders (e.g., anemia, low blood cell counts)
  • gout
  • heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat)
  • kidney disease
  • liver disease
  • radiation treatment (especially to chest area)
• Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor
• avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication before having surgery
• elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug on the heart
• This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy
• Consult your doctor before breast-feeding

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions

other anti-cancer drugs (especially anthracyclines such as doxorubicin) may interact with this drug.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: irregular heartbeat, severe nausea/vomiting.

Notes

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney/liver function tests, complete blood count, certain heart function tests such as LVEF) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Not applicable. This medication is given in a clinic and will not be stored at home.

Brands

Available Brands