Zavedos

by Pfizer

Active ingredient: Idarubicin

Packs

About Idarubicin

Cytostatic

Uses

Advanced breast cancer after failure of front-line chemotherapy; acute leukaemias.

How to take it

Adults & Elderly: Refer to individual protocols. Leukaemia: IV: Induction: 12 mg/m²/day for 3 days. Consolidation: 10-12 mg/m²/day for 2 days. Children: Leukaemia: IV: 10-12 mg/m² every day for 3 day every 3 wk. Solid tumours: IV: 5 mg/day for 3 days every 3 wk. Advanced breast cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy (not including anthracyclines)-monotherapy: Oral: 45 mg/m² for 1 dose, repeat treatment every 3-4 wks, alternatively 15 mg/m² daily for 3 consecutive days, repeat treatment every 3-4 wks; max 400 mg/m² per course. IV: Administer as slow push over 3-5 min, preferably into the side of a freely-running saline or dextrose infusion or as intermittent infusion over 10-15 min…

Side effects

Alopecia, skin rash, GI upset, headache, discolouration of urine, myelosuppression, anaemia, elevation of liver enzymes, ECG abnormalities, CHF, infections, blood dyscrasias, anorexia, arrhythmia, reduced LVEF, mucositis/stomatitis, elevated LFTs, urine discolouration, fever, haemorrhage. Reports of thromboembolism, secondary leukaemia. Inj only: local reactions.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Positive evidence of risk: Use only when no safer alternative exists for a serious problem. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Severe renal or hepatic impairment, uncontrolled infection, severe myocardial insufficiency, recent MI, severe arrhythmia, persistent myelosuppression, previous treatment with maximum cumulative doses of other anthracyclines or anthracenediones. Precautions: Monitor LVEF before and regularly during treatment, esp in patients receiving high cumulative doses or with risk factors for cardiotoxicity. Monitor haematology profile before and during each treatment cycle. Active GI disease. Monitor renal and hepatic function…

Advice

This medication is administered intravenously. Report immediately if there is redness/swelling/pain/itching/burning at infusion site or chest pain, palpitations, swelling of extremities, fast heartbeat, difficulty in breathing. Contact prescriber if there is fever, chills, unusual bruising or bleeding, unrelieved nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, change in urinary pattern, purulent vaginal discharge, increased fatigue, stomach pain, unhealed mouth sores, blood in stools, yellowing of eyes or skin, difficulty in breathing, swelling of extremities, unrelieved diarrhoea. Avoid alcohol intake during therapy. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless…

Full information on Idarubicin →

Interactions with Idarubicin

Live vaccines, trastuzumab, other cardiotoxic or cardioactive agents, phenytoin, cyclosporin.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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