Daunorubicin (Conventional

This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: Canada

Cerubidine

Warning

  • This drug may cause severe heart problems like heart failure. This can happen during treatment or years after the last dose. Sometimes, these problems will not go away or may be deadly. The chance may be higher if your child has had heart problems or chest area radiation, or is using other drugs that may cause heart problems. The chance may also be higher if your child has ever had this drug or a drug like this one. Ask the doctor if you are not sure if any of your child’s drugs may cause heart problems. The chance of heart problems depends on the dose of this drug and your child’s health problem. The chance of heart problems later in life is also higher. Heart problems may happen even without any risk factors. Call the doctor right away if your child has a cough; chest pain; fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat, swelling in the arms or legs, shortness of breath, or sudden weight gain; or feeling very tired or weak.
  • This drug may lower the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells that the body needs. This can lead to a blood transfusion. Severe and sometimes deadly bleeding problems or infections can also happen. Tell the doctor right away if your child has signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat; any bruising or bleeding; or if your child feels very tired or weak.
  • Children with kidney or liver disease may need a lower dose. Talk with your child’s doctor.
  • This drug may cause tissue damage if the drug leaks from the vein. Tell your child’s nurse if your child has any redness, burning, pain, swelling, blisters, skin sores, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your child’s body.

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat a type of leukemia.
  • It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

  • If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
  • If your child has an infection.

If your child is breast-feeding a baby:

  • Be sure your child does not breast-feed a baby while taking this drug.

This drug may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

  • Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • New types of cancer have happened in people taking this drug. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
  • Your child may have more chance of getting infections. Have your child wash hands often. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Your child may bleed more easily. Make sure your child is careful and avoids injury. Be sure your child has a soft toothbrush.
  • If your child has an upset stomach or diarrhea, is throwing up, or decreased appetite, talk with the doctor. There may be ways to lower these side effects.
  • To help with mouth sores, have your child use a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinse the mouth. Do not let your child use mouth rinses that have alcohol in them.
  • If your child has had daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, or mitoxantrone before, talk with your child’s doctor.
  • Talk with the doctor before your child gets any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with this drug may either raise the chance of very bad infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
  • Have your child’s blood work and heart function checked as you have been told by the doctor.
  • Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
  • This drug may cause your child to not be able to get pregnant later in life. Talk with the doctor.

If your child is or may be sexually active:

  • This drug may cause harm to an unborn baby. Your child must use birth control while taking this drug. If your child gets pregnant, call your child’s doctor right away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
  • Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
  • Chest pain or pressure or passing out.
  • Feeling very tired or weak.
  • A big weight loss.
  • Bone pain.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

  • Hair loss.
  • Diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
  • Urine and other body fluids may change to an orange or red color. This is normal.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

  • It is given into a vein for a period of time.
  • Other drugs will be given with this drug to help avoid side effects.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

  • Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.

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

  • If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

General drug facts

  • If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
  • Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-04-17

Copyright

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Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022