Drug reference

Idarubicin hydrochloride

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 975, 976

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

Acute non-lymphocytic leukaemias monotherapy ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 30 mg/m2 daily for 3 days; maximum 400 mg/m2 per course Acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia in combination therapy ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 15–30 mg/m2 daily for 3 days; maximum 400 mg/m2 per course Advanced breast cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy (not including anthracyclines)— monotherapy ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 45 mg/m2 for 1 dose, repeat treatment every 3–4 weeks, alternatively 15 mg/m2 daily for 3 consecutive days, repeat treatment every 3–4 weeks; maximum 400 mg/m2 per course Acute leukaemias | Advanced breast cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy (not including anthracyclines) ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: (consult product literature)

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Contra Indications

Previous treatment with maximum cumulative dose of idarubicin or other anthracycline. recent myocardial infarction. severe arrhythmias. severe myocardial insufﬁciency

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Cautions

Caution in handling—irritant to tissues

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Safety

Important Safety Information

RISKS OF INCORRECT DOSING OF ORAL ANTI-CANCER MEDICINES See Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

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Interactions

→Appendix 1: anthracyclines

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Side Effects

GENERAL SIDE-EFFECTS ▶Common or very common Alopecia. anaemia. appetite decreased. arrhythmias. cardiomyopathy. chills. congestive heart failure. diarrhoea. embolism and thrombosis. fever. haemorrhage. headache. increased risk of infection. leucopenia. nausea. neutropenia. skin reactions. stomatitis. thrombocytopenia. urine red. vomiting ▶Uncommon Dehydration. gastrointestinal disorders. hyperuricaemia. leukaemia secondary. myocardial infarction. nail discolouration. sepsis. shock. soft tissue necrosis ▶Rare or very rare Cardiac conduction disorders. cardiac inﬂammation. ﬂushing. intracranial haemorrhage ▶Frequency not known Bone marrow disorders. tumour lysis syndrome SPECIFIC SIDE-EFFECTS ▶Common or very common ▶With intravenous use Abdominal pain. mucosal abnormalities. paraesthesia. radiation injuries ▶With oral use Gastrointestinal discomfort. mucositis. Immune system and malignant disease radiation skin sensitivity

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Conception And Contraception

Contraceptive advice required, see Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

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Pregnancy

Avoid (teratogenic and toxic in animal studies). See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

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Breast Feeding

Discontinue breast-feeding.

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Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate impairment; avoid in severe impairment. Dose adjustments Manufacturer advises consider dose reduction in mild to moderate impairment—consult product literature.

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Renal Impairment

Avoid in severe impairment. Dose adjustments Reduce dose.

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Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Capsule CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 25 ▶Zavedos (Pfizer Ltd) Idarubicin hydrochloride 5 mg Zavedos 5mg capsules | 1 capsule P £41.47 Idarubicin hydrochloride 10 mg Zavedos 10mg capsules | 1 capsule P £69.12 Powder for solution for injection ▶Zavedos (Pfizer Ltd) Idarubicin hydrochloride 5 mg Zavedos 5mg powder for solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £87.36 (Hospital only) Idarubicin hydrochloride 10 mg Zavedos 10mg powder for solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £174.72 (Hospital only)

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Dose text by age group

Adult

30 mg/m2 daily for 3 days; maximum 400 mg/m2

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Adult

15–30 mg/m2 daily for 3 days; maximum

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Adult

45 mg/m2 for 1 dose, repeat treatment every

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 975

Adult

(consult product literature)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 975

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Idarubicin hydrochloride

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 975, 976

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF page 975

Contra Indications

Previous treatment with maximum cumulative dose of idarubicin or other anthracycline. recent myocardial infarction. severe arrhythmias. severe myocardial insufﬁciency

PDF page 975

Cautions

Caution in handling—irritant to tissues

PDF page 975

Safety

Important Safety Information

RISKS OF INCORRECT DOSING OF ORAL ANTI-CANCER MEDICINES See Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

PDF page 975

Interactions

→Appendix 1: anthracyclines

PDF page 975

Side Effects

PDF pages 975, 976

Conception And Contraception

Contraceptive advice required, see Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

PDF page 976

Pregnancy

Avoid (teratogenic and toxic in animal studies). See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

PDF page 976

Breast Feeding

Discontinue breast-feeding.

PDF page 976

Hepatic Impairment

PDF page 976

Renal Impairment

Avoid in severe impairment. Dose adjustments Reduce dose.

PDF page 976

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 976

Dose text by age group

Adult

30 mg/m2 daily for 3 days; maximum 400 mg/m2

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 975

Adult

15–30 mg/m2 daily for 3 days; maximum

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 975

Adult

45 mg/m2 for 1 dose, repeat treatment every

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 975

Adult

(consult product literature)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 975

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.