How it Works

Idarubicin is an anthracycline antineoplastic (antibiotic used against cancer) agent. It works by regulating gene expression and producing free radical damage to DNA. Because of these effects, the tumor cells stop dividing and die. The faster the cells are dividing, the more likely it is that chemotherapy will kill the cells, causing the tumor to shrink.

How it’s Administered

Idarubicin is given by intravenous injection (IV). The syringe needle is placed directly into the tubing of a freely flowing IV solution into a vein or central line, and the drug is given over several minutes. 

Who Should Take Idarubicin

• Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients
• Acute myelogenous leukemia patients
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (in blast crisis) patients

Who Shouldn’t Take Idarubicin

• Patients with hypersensitivity to Idarubicin or any of the ingredients of Zavedos
• Patients with hypersensitivity to other anthracyclines
• During pregnancy 
• Special attention to patients with myelosuppression or cardiovascular disease

The most common side effects of taking Idarubicin include:

• Pain along with the site where the medication was given 
• Low blood counts (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia)
• Red, brown, orange, or pink urine from the color of the medication 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Mouth sores
• Hair loss 
• Diarrhea 
• Abdominal cramps  

Commonly Used in Multiple Myeloma With 

• Dexamethasone 
• Combination with Dexamethasone, Iomustine, Melphalan, and prednisolone
• Combination with Vincristine and Dexamethasone 

Commonly Being Tested in Multiple Myeloma With

• Dexamethasone 
• Cyclophosphamide 
• Vincristine

Commonly Used in AML With 

• Combination with Cytarabine, Vincristine, or Fludarabine.

Commonly Being Tested in AML With

• Chemotherapeutic drugs: Cytarabine, Cladribine, Azacitidine, Decitabine, Fludarabine, Etoposide, Mitoxantrone
• FLT3 Inhibitors: Quizartinib, Sorafenib, Midostaurin
• Protein kinase inhibitors: Entospletinib, Ruxolitinib
• Monoclonal antibodies: Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin, Tocilizumab, Isatuximab
• Bispecific antibodies:
• Selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE):
• BCL-2 inhibitors: Venetoclax

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