Daunorubicin (Liposomal)

Generic name: Daunorubicin (Liposomal) [ daw-noe-ROO-bi-sin-lye-po-SO-mal ]
Brand name: DaunoXome
Drug class: Antibiotics / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 28, 2024.

Uses of Daunorubicin:

• It is used to treat advanced HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Daunorubicin?

• If you have an allergy to daunorubicin or any other part of daunorubicin (liposomal).
• If you are allergic to daunorubicin (liposomal); any part of daunorubicin (liposomal); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take daunorubicin (liposomal) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Daunorubicin?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take daunorubicin (liposomal). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• If you have upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or are not hungry, talk with your doctor. There may be ways to lower these side effects.
• If you have had daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, or mitoxantrone before, talk with your doctor.
• To help with mouth sores, use a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinse the mouth. Do not use mouth rinses that have alcohol in them.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• You will need to have heart function tests while taking daunorubicin (liposomal). Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with daunorubicin (liposomal) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking daunorubicin (liposomal).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using daunorubicin (liposomal) while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Daunorubicin) best taken?

Use daunorubicin (liposomal) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as a shot into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Chest pain or pressure or passing out.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• A big weight loss.
• Severe diarrhea.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Change in eyesight.
• Low mood (depression).
• This medicine may cause tissue damage if the drug leaks from the vein. Tell your nurse if you have any redness, burning, pain, swelling, blisters, skin sores, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your body.

Related/similar drugs

paclitaxel, Taxol, Pomalyst, pomalidomide, Doxil, interferon alfa-2b

What are some other side effects of Daunorubicin?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Feeling tired or weak.
• Flu-like signs. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain drugs may help.
• Color of urine is orange or red for 1 to 2 days after getting daunorubicin (liposomal).
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Belly pain.
• Not hungry.
• Diarrhea.
• Hair loss.
• Headache.
• Cough.
• Back pain.
• Mouth and lip irritation.
• Runny nose.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Daunorubicin?

• If you need to store daunorubicin (liposomal) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about daunorubicin (liposomal), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer