Daunorubicin hydrochloride
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Daunorubicin Injection.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using Daunorubicin Injection against the benefits it is expected to have for you.
This medicine is likely to be used while you are at the clinic or in hospital.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet.
You may need to read it again.
What Daunorubicin Injection is used for
Daunorubicin belongs to a group of anticancer medicines known as cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotics. Daunorubicin works by preventing the growth of cancer cells and eventually destroying them. It is used for a number of different types of cancer including leukaemia.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given Daunorubicin
When you must not be given it
Do not use Daunorubicin Injection if you:
have an allergy to daunorubicin or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
have heart disease or heart problems
have a low blood count following chemotherapy or radiotherapy
have severe infections
have severe liver or renal function impairment
Tell your doctor if you have been given daunorubicin or doxorubicin previously.
Your doctor will determine if you should continue to be treated with Daunorubicin.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
It may affect the developing baby if used during pregnancy.
If you are not sure whether you should be given Daunorubicin, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if:
you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
It is not known whether daunorubicin passes into breast milk. Therefore breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with daunorubicin.
you are having or have had radiotherapy.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
any sort of infection, e.g. sinusitis, tooth abscess, etc
fever, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising
liver problems
kidney problems
sore, red mouth
gout
low blood counts
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and daunorubicin may interfere with each other. These include:
other anticancer drugs
medicines used to treat gout, such as allopurinol, colchicine, probenecid, sulphinpyrazone
drugs which may cause liver problems
some vaccines (injections to prevent you getting a certain disease)
You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
How Daunorubicin Injection is given
Daunorubicin is given by a slow injection into a vein. It must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose, how often and how long you will receive it. This depends on your condition and other factors, such as your weight and height, age, blood tests, how well your liver is working and whether or not other medicines are being given at the same time.
If you are given too much (overdose)
Overdose is unlikely, as Daunorubicin Injection is given in hospital under the supervision of a doctor.
However, if you are given too much Daunorubicin, you may experience some of the effects listed under "Side Effects" below.
Immediately telephone your doctor or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have been given too much daunorubicin. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose.
While you are being treated with Daunorubicin
Things you must do
Keep all your doctor's appointments.
You will need regular follow-up to check you progress.
You will also have blood tests to check for side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while being treated with Daunorubicin.
Tell any doctors, dentists or pharmacists who treat you that you are being treated with Daunorubicin.
Side effects
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given Daunorubicin Injection.
Like other medicines, Daunorubicin can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor or temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to answer any questions that you may have.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
flushing of the face (hot and red)
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
dark areas on the nails and skin
hair loss
reddish urine
These are more common side effects of Daunorubicin Injection.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if you notice any of the following:
infections, fever, severe chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers
sores in mouth and on lips, heartburn, or difficulty swallowing
unusual bruising or bleeding
heart problems
difficulty in breathing or any swelling
burning, stinging, hotness, redness or pain where the injection is being given
abdominal pain
swelling, redness or tenderness in the vein
itchy rash or skin reaction
These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Some side effects may only be seen by your doctor.
After using Daunorubicin Injection
Storage
Daunorubicin Injection will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. It is kept refrigerated between 2°C to 8°C in a dark place to protect it from light.
Product Description
What it looks like
Daunorubicin Injection is a clear red solution in a plastic vial.
Ingredients
Daunorubicin Injection contains daunorubicin hydrochloride as the active ingredient (equivalent to 2mg of daunorubicin in each mL of injection).
It also contains sodium chloride and Water for Injections.
It does not contain a preservative.
