Daunorubicin
Description
Daunorubicin is an anticancer agent which is used in the treatment of various types of cancers of the blood. It should be used under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of kidney function and blood cell count is necessary while receiving this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Daunorubicin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decrease in white blood cells and platelets
- Infections
- Diarrhea
- Mouth ulcers
- Joint pain
- Hair loss
- Shortness of breath
Uses of Daunorubicin
What is it prescribed for?
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Daunorubicin or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Active infections
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who have an active infection due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with bone marrow suppression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Effect on heart
Daunorubicin may increase the risk of toxic effects on the heart and could lead to acute left ventricular failure. Patients with a history of heart disease need close monitoring while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine may cause bone marrow suppression which in turn lowers the white blood cell count (neutrophils) and platelets. Close monitoring of blood cell count is necessary. The baseline of the blood cell count should be obtained before initiation of the treatment. Do not start the treatment if the blood cell count is too low.
Liver and Kidney Impairment
This medicine may increase the risk of toxic effects on the liver and kidney. Evaluation of liver and kidney function should be obtained before initiation of the treatment. Close monitoring of liver and kidney function is recommended during the treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Secondary Malignancies
This medicine is known to increase the risk of secondary cancers including acute leukemia, myeloproliferative syndrome, etc. Close monitoring of signs and symptoms is necessary. The treatment should be discontinued if malignancy develops.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss any chemotherapy session you should contact your doctor immediately and fix an appointment as recommended.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Etanercept
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Diltiazem
Atorvastatin
Disease interactions
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with preexisting drug-induced bone marrow suppression which causes anemia and infections due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as bleeding or symptoms of anemia, fever, sore throat, or local infection during the therapy with this medicine. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Congestive heart failure
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases due to the increased risk of congestive heart failure. Regular monitoring of the cardiac function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine. The blood cell counts should be monitored before initiating the treatment. Close monitoring of heart function is necessary while receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting the DNA synthesis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antibiotics/antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 6 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 6 December 2018]. Available from:
Daunorubicin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 6 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 6 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 29 Jan 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.