idarubicin hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Anthracycline cytotoxic chemotherapy
Main licensed role
Remission induction in acute myeloid leukaemia; intravenous treatment also has a second-line role in relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Available routes
Intravenous injection by a trained cancer team or capsules in licensed oral settings.
Expected harmless effect
Urine may temporarily become red or orange because of the medicine's colour.
What is idarubicin hydrochloride used for?
Licensed uses differ by route:
Intravenous solution: remission induction in adults with untreated, relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia.
Intravenous solution: remission induction for childhood acute myeloid leukaemia when combined with cytarabine.
Intravenous solution: second-line treatment of relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in adults and children.
Oral capsules: remission induction in acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia when intravenous idarubicin cannot be used for medical, psychological or social reasons.
Oral capsules: single-agent treatment of advanced breast cancer after failure of initial chemotherapy that did not include an anthracycline.
How does idarubicin hydrochloride work?
Idarubicin inserts itself between DNA strands and interferes with topoisomerase II, inhibiting nucleic-acid synthesis and damaging dividing cells. It also affects healthy rapidly dividing tissues such as bone marrow and the digestive lining.
idarubicin hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 1 mg/mL
How to take idarubicin hydrochloride
Idarubicin must be used only under specialist chemotherapy supervision.
The injection is given only into a vein. Tell staff immediately about pain, burning or swelling near the line.
Swallow capsules whole with water; do not suck, bite, open or chew them.
Capsules may be taken with a light meal.
Follow the handling and administration instructions supplied by the cancer team.
idarubicin hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Low white cells, red cells and platelets, causing infection risk, tiredness, bruising or bleeding
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort and reduced appetite
- Sore or inflamed mouth and digestive lining
- Hair loss
- Fever, headache or chills
- Temporary red or orange urine
- Changes in heart rate or heart function
- Raised liver enzymes or bilirubin
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe infection or sepsis
- Serious bleeding
- Heart-muscle damage or heart failure during treatment or later
- Severe allergic reaction
- Tumour lysis syndrome with dangerous biochemical disturbances
- Severe bowel inflammation, bleeding or perforation
- Extravasation causing severe inflammation, blistering or tissue death
- Rare secondary leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome
idarubicin hydrochloride in pregnancy
Human information is limited, and animal studies indicate reproductive toxicity. It should be used during pregnancy only when the specialist team considers that potential benefit justifies fetal risk. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for the product-specified period afterwards. Tell the oncology team immediately about a pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, and discuss fertility preservation before treatment where relevant.
idarubicin hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment because serious infant toxicity is possible. Selected product information advises waiting at least 14 days after the last treatment; confirm the individual plan with the oncology and infant-care teams.
idarubicin hydrochloride interactions
The cancer team should review prescription, non-prescription, herbal and complementary products before treatment.
Other bone-marrow-suppressing chemotherapy or recent radiotherapy
May intensify suppression of blood-cell production and increase infection or bleeding risk.
Cardiotoxic treatments, including trastuzumab and other anthracyclines
May add to heart damage, requiring careful sequencing and cardiac monitoring.
Common questions about idarubicin hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is idarubicin hydrochloride chemotherapy?
Yes. It is an anthracycline cytotoxic chemotherapy that damages DNA and disrupts cell division.
Can it be taken by mouth?
A capsule formulation is licensed for specific circumstances. Capsules must be swallowed whole with water and may be taken with a light meal.
Why can it turn urine red?
Its red-orange colour can temporarily make urine red or orange. Seek advice if there is pain, clots or uncertainty.
Why are blood tests needed?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.