Idarubicin (Systemic)
Brand Names : Idamycin
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For idarubicin, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to idarubicin.
Pregnancy - There is a chance that this medicine may cause birth
defects if either the male or female is receiving it at the time of conception
or if it is taken during pregnancy. Studies in rats and rabbits have shown
that idarubicin causes birth defects in the fetus and other problems (including
miscarriage). In addition, many cancer medicines may cause sterility which
could be permanent. Although sterility has been reported only in male dogs
with this medicine, the possibility of an effect in human males should be
kept in mind. Be sure that you have discussed these possible effects with your doctor
before receiving this medicine. It is best to use some kind of birth control
while you are receiving idarubicin. Tell your doctor right away if you think
you have become pregnant while receiving idarubicin. Before receiving idarubicin
make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - Because idarubicin may cause serious side effects,
breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.
Children - There is no specific information comparing use of
idarubicin in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - Heart problems are more likely to occur in the elderly,
who are usually more sensitive to the effects of idarubicin.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving
idarubicin, it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you have ever been treated with x-rays or cancer medicines or if you
are taking any of the following:
-
Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone) or
-
Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) or
-
Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
-
Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
-
Colchicine or
-
Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon) or
-
Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene) or
-
Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A) or
-
Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
-
Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir) - Idarubicin may increase the
effects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood
-
Probenecid (e.g., Benemid) or
-
Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane) - Idarubicin may raise the concentration
of uric acid in the blood, which these medicines are used to lower
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of idarubicin. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
-
Herpes zoster (shingles) - Risk of severe disease affecting other
parts of the body
-
Gout or
-
Kidney stones - Idarubicin may increase levels of a chemical
called uric acid in the body, which can cause gout or kidney stones
-
Heart disease - Risk of heart problems caused by idarubicin may
be increased
-
Kidney disease or
-
Liver disease - Effects may be increased because of slower removal
of idarubicin from the body
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