Idarubicin

(eye da ROO bi sin)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• This drug may cause harm to your child's heart. Talk with your child's doctor.
• This drug may have effects on the bone marrow. The bone marrow may not be able to make cells found in the blood as well as it used to for a few weeks.
• Children with kidney or liver disease may need a lower dose. Talk with your child's doctor.
• This drug may irritate or harm the vein. It may burn the skin if the drug leaks from the vein when it is given. Tell your child's nurse if your child has any pain or burning when this drug is given.
• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. They can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to idarubicin or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has a high bilirubin level.
• If your child has had daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, or mitoxantrone before, talk with your child's doctor.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat leukemia.

How does this drug work?

• Idarubicin harms cancer cells causing their death.

How is this drug given?

• It is given as a shot into a vein over a period of time.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take a few weeks to months to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Call your doctor for an office visit.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• If your child has gallbladder disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has had radiation or is getting radiation now, talk with your child's doctor.
• If your child has a weak heart, talk with the doctor.
• Have your child's blood work checked. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Talk with the doctor before your child gets any vaccines. Use with this drug may either raise the chance of very bad infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• Your child may bleed more easily. Have him/her be more careful and avoid injury. Wear a bike helmet, for example, while riding a bike.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child products that have aspirin, ibuprofen or like products, blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other doctors that your child is using this drug.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Chance of getting an infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Color of urine is dark yellow for 1 to 2 days after getting this drug.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Headache.
• Mouth irritation. Using a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing the mouth may help. Do not use mouth rinses that have alcohol in them.
• Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.
• Hair loss. Hair most often grows back when this drug is stopped.
• Harm to the heart may rarely happen.
• Other kinds of cancer may rarely happen later in life.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried or if any of the unwanted side effects happen after your child is given this drug.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows any signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color or sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• If your child shows signs of very bad dizziness or passes out.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has a big weight loss.
• If your child has any bruising or bleeding.
• If your child has very bad skin irritation.
• If your child has pain where the shot was given.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• This drug will be given to your child in a hospital or doctor's office. You will not store it at home.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.