cytarabine + daunorubicin at a glance
Medicine class
Liposomal combination chemotherapy containing an antimetabolite and an anthracycline.
Licensed use
Selected newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia subtypes in adults.
Administration
Given into a vein by a specialist hospital team; it is not taken by mouth.
Important distinction
The liposomal product must not be substituted with separate or conventional cytarabine or daunorubicin products.
What is cytarabine + daunorubicin used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia in either of these categories:
Therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia arising after previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Acute myeloid leukaemia with myelodysplasia-related changes.
How does cytarabine + daunorubicin work?
The liposomes carry cytarabine and daunorubicin together and release them within leukaemia cells. Cytarabine disrupts DNA production during cell division, while daunorubicin damages DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, reducing leukaemia-cell survival and multiplication.
How to take cytarabine + daunorubicin
This treatment is prepared and administered in hospital under the supervision of a clinician experienced in chemotherapy.
It is given only as an intravenous infusion.
It must not be injected into a muscle, under the skin or into the spinal canal.
Tell staff immediately about pain, burning or swelling around the infusion site.
It must not be mixed with or infused through the line alongside other medicines.
cytarabine + daunorubicin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Fever with low white blood cells and increased susceptibility to infection
- Rash or other hypersensitivity symptoms
- Swelling, fatigue, headache, chills or musculoskeletal pain
- Sore or inflamed mouth and digestive tract
- Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, reduced appetite, nausea or vomiting
- Cough, dizziness, altered blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat
- Bruising or bleeding caused by low platelets
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills or other infection symptoms, particularly when feeling suddenly unwell
- Unexplained or persistent bleeding, extensive bruising or blood in urine or stools
- Chest pain, new breathlessness, swelling or other possible signs of heart injury
- Severe rash, facial or throat swelling, wheezing, faintness or breathing difficulty during an infusion
- Pain or swelling around the infusion line, which may indicate leakage into surrounding tissue
cytarabine + daunorubicin in pregnancy
Pregnancy testing is recommended before treatment. The combination should not normally be used during pregnancy because it may harm the fetus, unless the woman's clinical condition requires treatment and the specialist considers that the potential benefit justifies the risk. Patients who could conceive, and male patients with partners who could conceive, should use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months afterwards.
cytarabine + daunorubicin while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment because serious effects in a breastfed child are possible. The product information does not specify when breastfeeding may restart, so this should be agreed with the specialist team.
cytarabine + daunorubicin interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. The treatment team should review all prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products.
Other cardiotoxic medicines, including anthracyclines such as doxorubicin
They may increase the risk of heart damage and require close assessment and monitoring.
Medicines that can damage or impair the liver
They may increase toxicity, so liver function may need more frequent monitoring.
Live or live-attenuated vaccines
These should be avoided because chemotherapy-related immunosuppression can permit serious infection.
Common questions about cytarabine + daunorubicin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is cytarabine + daunorubicin used for?
The selected liposomal product is licensed for adults with newly diagnosed therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia or acute myeloid leukaemia with myelodysplasia-related changes.
Is Vyxeos the same as separate cytarabine and daunorubicin injections?
No. Its liposomal formulation changes how the active substances are delivered and handled by the body, so the products must not be interchanged.
How is cytarabine + daunorubicin given?
It is prepared and given into a vein by a specialist hospital team. It is not an oral treatment.
What should I do if I miss an appointment?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.