IDArubicin
Other Name: Generic brand(s) available, Idamycin®
- For treating blood cancers such as acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
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Tell your doctor if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have or had heart problems, taken / taking drugs that can affect the heart, or have any allergies.
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People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
Remember to:
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Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
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Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.
You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.
Talk to your health care team about:
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How this medication may affect your sexual health.
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Symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness or changes in your mood, if this applies to you
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How this medication may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you.
This medication may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if you or your partner are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or are breastfeeding.
- If there is any chance you may become pregnant, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until at least 6.5 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
- If you are a patient that can get somebody pregnant, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until at least 3.5 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
- Do not breastfeed while on this medication and until 14 days after your last dose.
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This drug is given by injection into a vein.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
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For mild aches and pain or fever:
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
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Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
Common side effects usually occur in more than 1 out of every 10 patients. Other side effects are less common, but may be severe. You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
More Common Side Effects | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Hair thinning or loss
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Talk to your health care team if this bothers you |
Unusual bleeding or bruising
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Get emergency medical help right away |
Fever, chills, infection You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:
If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Mouth sores
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible (office hours) |
Nausea and vomiting
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Change in urine colour
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Less Common Side Effects, but may be Severe | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Liver problems |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Allergic reaction (fever, severe rash, itchiness, swollen face, lip or tongue, chest or throat tightness)
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Get emergency medical help right away |
Diarrhea
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Heart problems |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Rapid killing of cancer cells when you start treatment may lead to build up of cell waste products
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Get emergency medical help right away |
Reactions at the injection site (pain, burning, redness or swelling on skin where drug was injected)
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Get emergency medical help right away |
Redness/rash in areas where you’ve previously received radiation |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Rash (may be severe); dry, itchy skin
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Infection of the intestines | Get emergency medical help right away |
Blood clot (limb pain or swelling, hardened vein in limb), may occur in lungs (sudden start of coughing, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood) | Get emergency medical help right away |
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________ During the day I should contact:________________________________________________ Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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October 2023 Updated " How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding" section
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.