Brand Name(s): DaunoXome

Generic Name Daunorubicin Liposomal Injection

What is liposomal daunorubicin injection?

LIPOSOMAL DAUNORUBICIN (DaunoXome^®) is a type of cancer chemotherapy used for treating Kaposi's sarcoma and is being studied in the treatment of other cancers. Daunorubicin interferes with the growth of rapidly growing cells, like cancer cells. Liposomal daunorubicin is a special form of daunorubicin which may have less side effects. Generic liposomal daunorubicin injections are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive liposomal daunorubicin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• angina
• bleeding problems
• blood disorders
• heart disorders
• hypertension
• having intramuscular injections
• infection (bacterial, viral or fungal)
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• previous radiation therapy
• previous chemotherapy with doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin or mitoxantrone
• an unusual or allergic reaction to daunorubicin, other chemotherapy agents, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Liposomal daunorubicin is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting by a trained health-care professional. If you notice pain, swelling, burning or any unusual feeling around the site of your injection, tell your health care professional immediately. There may be several weeks between doses.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Let your prescriber or health care professional know if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with liposomal daunorubicin?

• other chemotherapy agents may increase the side effects seen with daunorubicin
• vaccines

Ask your prescriber or health care professional about other medicines which may increase the effect of daunorubicin.

Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:

• aspirin
• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• ketoprofen

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving liposomal daunorubicin?

The side effects you may experience with daunorubicin therapy depend upon the dose, other types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy given, and the disease being treated. Not all of these effects occur in all patients. Discuss any concerns or questions with your prescriber or health care professional.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• chest pain
• difficulty breathing, wheezing
• irregular heart beat
• swelling of ankles or feet

More common:

• low blood counts - daunorubicin may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
• irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain
• mouth or throat sores or ulcers
• pain, redness, swelling or irritation at the injection site
• skin rash, itching, peeling skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• hair loss
• heartburn
• nausea
• red color in urine (may appear for 1 to 2 days after treatment)
• skin rash, itching

What should I watch for while taking liposomal daunorubicin?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks.

After treatment with liposomal daunorubicin your urine may be a red color. This is different from blood in the urine and will disappear within a few days, with no cause for alarm. If you think you may have blood in the urine call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

Liposomal daunorubicin may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because daunorubicin affects good cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.

Liposomal daunorubicin will decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Liposomal daunorubicin may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.

Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol^®), ibuprofen (Advil^®), naproxen (Aleve^®), or ketoprofen (Orudis^® KT) products as these may hide a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.

Call your prescriber or health care professional if you get diarrhea. Do not treat yourself. Some diarrhea medicine will make the diarrhea worse.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving liposomal daunorubicin because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you have received daunorubicin.

Men and women of childbearing age should use effective birth control methods during daunorubicin treatment. There is a risk of birth defects if a woman becomes pregnant and is being treated with daunorubicin. Women should not become pregnant while being treated with daunorubicin or if their partner is being treated with daunorubicin.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine is given through your vein at a clinic or hospital. You will not have to take this medicine at home.