Details

Daunorubicin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Daunorubicin is used in the treatment of leukaemia (blood cancer). Daunorubicin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. It may also cause dangerous effects on your heart. To make sure daunorubicin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease kidney disease liver disease a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines) or if you have ever been treated with doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone, or liposomal daunorubicin.

Typical Uses

Daunorubicin is used to treat leukaemia and other cancers. It belongs to a class of drugs known as anthracyclines and works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. If daunorubicin touches your skin, immediately wash the area well with soap and water. If this medication gets in your eye, open the eyelids and flush with water for 15 minutes, then seek immediate medical attention. Drink plenty of fluids while using this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Doing so helps decrease the risk of certain side effects.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of daunorubicin include chest pain, shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum) nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or pain, burning, irritation, or skin changes where the injection was given.

Drug Interactions

• Daunorubicin+adalimumab- Using adalimumab together with daunorubicin may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Daunorubicin+bedaquiline- Using bedaquiline together with daunorubicin can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

• Daunorubicin+ceritinib- Using ceritinib together with daunorubicin can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

• Daunorubicin+fingolimod- Before starting fingolimod, let your doctor know if you are currently receiving treatment with daunorubicin. Using fingolimod in this situation can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious or life-threatening. This is most likely to occur early on after you start treatment with fingolimod, especially within the first 20 hours after the first dose. On the other hand, it may be alright for you to use these medications together if you have been stable on fingolimod therapy for over a month while you start treatment with daunorubicin.

Mechanism of action

Daunorubicin is an anti-cancer drug which belongs to the class, anthracycline cytotoxic antibiotics. The exact mechanism for its clinical effects is not clear however multiple mechanisms directly interfering with important DNA processes and cell division are thought to be responsible for slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

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