Patient Education daw-no-roo-bih-sin This medicine, like all medicines used to treat cancer, is very strong. Make sure you understand why you are getting it and what the risks and benefits of treatment are. It is important for you to work closely with your health care team. About This Medication Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it will be given. Your medicine will be given through a tube put in one of your veins, usually in your arm, wrist or hand, and sometimes in your chest. This is called intravenous (in-tra-veen-us), or IV. Your treatments will be given by a nurse trained to give cancer drugs. If you have your treatments at a clinic, the staff at the clinic will keep your medicine there. If you have your treatments at home, you may need to store your medicine. Keep the IV liquid away from heat and light. If you keep the IV liquid in the refrigerator, it must be used within 2 days. If the medicine is kept at room temperature, it must be used within 24 hours. Do not get the medicine on your skin. If this happens, wash the area with soap and water, and tell your caregiver right away. Keep all medicine away from children. If you have your treatments at home, you should be given a special container for the used needles, medicine bag or bottles and tubes. Put where children or pets cannot reach it. When You Should Not Take This Medicine Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to daunorubicin.
Page 2 Drugs and Foods to Avoid Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicine, including over-the-counter products. Some medicines may become harmful when taken with daunorubicin. Make sure your doctor knows what medicines you take. Do not take aspirin or any product that has aspirin in it (such as some cold medicines) unless you have talked to your doctor. Talk to your doctor before having any vaccines (such as a flu shot). Warnings Do not breastfeed while you are getting this medicine. Make sure your doctor knows if you have an infection, gout, or heart, liver or kidney disease before you start your treatments. If you start to have pain, redness or swelling where the IV is given, tell your care giver right away. This medicine may turn your urine red for 1 or 2 days after your treatment. This is normal. You may want to protect your clothing from being stained. You may get infections more easily while being treated with this medicine. Stay away from crowds or people with colds, flu or other infections. This medicine can cause nausea and vomiting. Your doctor may prescribe medicine for you to keep you from feeling sick. If the medicine does not help (you can't keep liquids down), call your doctor. If you plan to have children: Do not get pregnant while you or your sexual partner are receiving daunorubicin. Use an effective form of birth control while you are being treated with this medicine. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before you start your treatments.
Page 4 Side Effects Call your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these side effects: Pain, redness or swelling where the IV is given Fever, chills or sore throat Unusual bleeding or bruising Trouble breathing, swelling of ankles or feet Hives, rash or severe itching Severe vomiting If you have problems with these less serious side effects, talk with your nurse or doctor: Nausea, loss of appetite Hair loss
Department/Clinic Name Publication Title Questions? Notes This information is not meant to take the place of a discussion with your health care team. Please ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any questions about this drug or any other part of your treatment. (206) 598-4818 Cancer Clinic (206) 598-4100 Clinic Doctor Primary Nurse Associate Nurse Box 356090 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195 (206) 598-4818 Copyright 3/99