Idarubicin

Zavedos intravenous injection in combination with other drugs daily should be given by continuous infusion. The dosage of zavedos is usually calculated on the basis of total body surface area.

Most common adverse reactions include Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Sores in the mouth and throat, Stomach pain, Headache, Joint pain, Hair loss, Rash, and Redness/blisters on the palms and soles.

• The idarubicin 5 mg must be administered only under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner experienced in the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy.
• Avoid using this drug in patients with pre-existing bone marrow depression induced by the radiotherapy unless the benefit warrants the risk.
• The idarubicin hydrochloride is contraindicated in pregnant women or women wishing to become pregnant.
• Patients should be assessed for cardiac function before undergoing treatment with zavedos 5 mg and must be monitored throughout therapy in order to minimize the risk of incurring severe cardiac impairment.
• Men as well as women should seek advice on fertility preservation prior to starting treatment with idamycin.
• Women of childbearing potential should be instructed to not become pregnant while on treatment.

Care should be exercised in the handling of ZAVEDOS. ZAVEDOS injections should not be opened or crushed. Stores permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F), and protect from light.

• Idarubicin basically is a potent myelosuppressant and combination chemo regimens that comprised other agents with identical action (e.g., other anthracenediones, anthracyclines) may lead to additive toxicity, mainly with regard to the bone marrow or hematologic and gastrointestinal effects.
• The administration of idarubicin in combination chemo with certain other potentially cardiotoxic medicines (e.g., cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel), as well as the concomitant administration of other cardioactive compounds (e.g., calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem, amlodipine, or verapamil), needs monitoring of cardiac function throughout the therapy.
• Changes in the renal/hepatic function induced by concomitant therapies may affect idarubicin metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy and toxicity.
• An additive myelosuppressant effect may be established when radiotherapy is given concomitantly or within two to three weeks prior to therapy with idarubicin.