Idarubicin - oral

Idarubicin is used to treat cancer of the bone marrow or breast.

This medicine reduces the size of the tumour by stopping cancer cells from growing.

It may be used on its own or together with other cancer medicines.

Take Idarubicin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take this with a light meal. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water. Do not open, suck, bite, or chew the capsule. Try to take it at the same time each day.

The dose of Idarubicin will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• severe kidney disease
• severe liver disease
• heart disease e.g. failure, recent heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm
• uncontrolled infection
• previous treatment with Idarubicin or similar medicines

as Idarubicin may not be suitable for you.

Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.

It is important that you do not get pregnant or father a child while being treated with Idarubicin. You must use proven birth control methods while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while being treated with Idarubicin, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.

Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. Do not receive any vaccinations without first asking your doctor.

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver, kidney, and heart function tests) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.

Idarubicin may cause any of the following side effects: hair loss, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, urine discolouration, and inflammation of mouth and lips.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• vomiting blood, bloody or black stool
• signs of infection e.g. fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcer
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders (e.g. ciclosporin).

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.

As this is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired capsules to the clinic, hospital or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the normal household waste.