Zavedos (Idarubicin Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Zavedos Used For?
Zavedos is a chemotherapy medication that contains the active ingredient idarubicin hydrochloride. It is specifically designed to treat cancer by targeting cancer cells.
Primary Uses
Zavedos is used to treat acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a type of blood cancer that affects adults. It may be used alone or combined with other chemotherapy medications as part of your treatment plan.
How It Works
Zavedos works by stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying, helping to control the progression of leukemia.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Zavedos is addictive, and it is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Zavedos
Zavedos is administered as an injection directly into your vein and must only be given by trained healthcare professionals in a hospital or clinic setting.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine the exact dose, frequency, and duration of treatment based on your specific condition, weight, and other individual factors. The medication is injected slowly into a vein under careful medical supervision.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Since Zavedos is given by healthcare professionals in a clinical setting, missed doses are managed by your medical team. Keep all scheduled appointments to ensure you receive your treatment as planned.
Important: Zavedos must only be administered by qualified healthcare professionals in a hospital or clinic setting – it cannot be self-administered.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Red-colored urine for 1-2 days after treatment (normal and harmless)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain and discomfort
- Mouth ulcers
- Skin changes including darker areas of skin and nails
- Hair loss
- Hot flushes
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Chest pain, abnormal or fast heartbeat
- Shock from dangerous blood pressure drop leading to collapse
- Allergic reactions with swelling, breathing difficulties
- Skin rash, itching, hives
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Swelling and extreme tenderness along veins
- Blood clots in veins
- Swelling in feet or legs from fluid buildup
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, cough
- Signs of blood poisoning including high fever, confusion, rapid breathing
- Signs of anemia like headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale appearance
- Vomiting blood or bleeding from back passage
- Black sticky bowel movements or bloody diarrhea
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Zavedos should not be used, and others where special caution is needed.
Who Should Not Take Zavedos
Do not receive Zavedos if you: are allergic to idarubicin hydrochloride or similar cancer medicines (daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, mitoxantrone); have severe kidney, liver, or heart problems including heart failure or recent heart attack; have severe infections with fever, chills, or mouth ulcers; have severely reduced blood cell counts; have previously received maximum doses of idarubicin or similar medications; are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy, anemia, bone marrow problems, infections or high temperature, stomach ulcers, or any bleeding problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Zavedos can cause serious birth defects and should not be used during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 6.5 months after the final dose. Men with female partners must use contraception during treatment and for at least 3.5 months after the final dose. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 14 days after the last dose.
Pregnancy Warning: This medication may cause serious birth defects. Both partners must use effective contraception during treatment and for months after completion.
Drug Interactions
Several types of medications can interfere with Zavedos and affect how it works or increase the risk of side effects.
Important: These interactions may increase side effects on your heart, blood cells, stomach, or bowels, and reduce your body’s ability to fight infection.
- Other cancer medications
- Heart medications including calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure and angina
- Certain antibiotics and antifungal medications that affect liver and kidney function
- Vaccines
Alcohol & Driving
Zavedos may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely, and you should take precautions during treatment.
Alcohol
Information about alcohol use with Zavedos was not specifically mentioned in the source material. Discuss alcohol consumption with your healthcare team.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful when driving or using machinery until you know how Zavedos affects you. If you feel dizzy or drowsy, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Zavedos is stored and handled by healthcare professionals in clinical settings. As a patient, you do not need to store this medication at home since it is administered only in hospitals or clinics under medical supervision.
Overdose Information
Since Zavedos is given in a hospital or clinic under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. Your healthcare team continuously monitors your progress and the medication you receive. If you suspect you may have received too much Zavedos, symptoms would typically be more severe versions of the known side effects, and you would need urgent medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no evidence that Zavedos is addictive. It is a chemotherapy medication used specifically to treat cancer.
Red-colored urine for 1-2 days after treatment is completely normal and harmless. This is a common effect of the medication and is no cause for alarm.
Women must use effective contraception for at least 6.5 months after the final dose, while men must use contraception for at least 3.5 months after the final dose.
Vaccines may interfere with Zavedos and affect how it works. You should discuss any vaccinations with your doctor before receiving them during treatment.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or any other signs of infection. Zavedos can reduce your body’s ability to fight infections.
You will have regular tests to monitor your blood count, kidney and liver function, and heart health before, during, and after treatment. Your doctor will determine the frequency based on your individual needs.
Be careful when using sharp objects, avoid contact sports, use a soft toothbrush, and avoid people with infections. Zavedos can make you more prone to bleeding and infections.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.