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Cytarabine Liposomal / Daunorubicin Liposomal Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 11, 2025.

Applies to cytarabine liposomal / daunorubicin liposomal: intravenous powder for solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (powder for solution)

Do not interchange with other DAUNOrubicin- and/or cytarabine-containing productsDAUNOrubicin and cytarabine, liposome has different dosage recommendations than DAUNOrubicin hydrochloride injection, cytarabine injection, DAUNOrubicin citrate liposome injection, and cytarabine liposome injection.

Verify drug name and dose prior to preparation and administration to avoid dosing errors.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood, heart, kidney, and liver tests are needed to check for unwanted effects before starting each cycle of treatment with this medicine.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose of this medicine. Men should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose to prevent pregnancy in a sexual partner. If a pregnancy occurs while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

Check with your doctor right away if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, headache, dizziness, or weakness, pain, swelling, or discomfort in a joint, pinpoint red spots on your skin, unusual nosebleeds, or unusual vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal. These may be signs of bleeding problems.

If you are rapidly gaining weight, having chest pain or discomfort, extreme tiredness or weakness, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, excessive swelling of the hands, wrist, ankles, or feet, or trouble breathing, check with your doctor right away. These may be symptoms of a heart problem or your body keeping too much water.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.

This medicine contains copper gluconate. Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellow eyes or skin, changes in mood, blurred or double vision, difficulty in walking, headache, numbness or tingling in your fingers and toes, or trouble sleeping. These could be symptoms of copper toxicity.

This medicine may cause tissue damage at the injection site where this medicine has leaked. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, cytarabine liposomal/daunorubicin liposomal may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cytarabine liposomal / daunorubicin liposomal:

More common side effects

  • bleeding gums
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • blurred vision
  • body aches or pain
  • chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
  • chills
  • confusion as to time, place, or person
  • cough
  • coughing up blood
  • deafness
  • decreased frequency or amount of urine
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty in breathing or swallowing
  • dizziness
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • ear congestion
  • facial swelling
  • fainting
  • fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
  • fever
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • headache
  • holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
  • increased blood pressure
  • increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
  • increased thirst
  • itching of the genitals or other skin areas
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of voice
  • lower back or side pain
  • nausea
  • nervousness
  • nosebleeds
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • paralysis
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • pounding in the ears
  • prolonged bleeding from cuts
  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • red or black, tarry stools
  • red or dark brown urine
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • scaling
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
  • skin rash
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • stomach cramps or pain
  • sweating
  • swelling
  • swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
  • tenderness
  • thickening of the bronchial secretions
  • trouble breathing
  • ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting
  • watery or bloody diarrhea
  • weakness
  • weight gain

Other side effects

Some side effects of cytarabine liposomal / daunorubicin liposomal may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • anxiety
  • belching
  • bleeding after having a bowel movement
  • bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
  • bone and muscle pain
  • burning, dry, or itching of the eyes
  • changes in vision
  • constipation
  • cracked lips
  • decreased appetite
  • discharge, excessive tearing
  • heartburn
  • indigestion
  • redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
  • small red or purple spots on the skin
  • stomach discomfort or upset
  • trouble sleeping
  • uncomfortable swelling around the anus

For healthcare professionals

Applies to cytarabine liposomal / daunorubicin liposomal: intravenous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions with an incidence of 25% or greater were hemorrhagic events, febrile neutropenia, rash, edema, nausea, mucositis, diarrhea, constipation, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, dyspnea, headache, cough, decreased appetite, arrhythmia, pneumonia, bacteremia, chills, pyrexia, hypotension, sleep disorders, and vomiting.

The most serious adverse reactions with an incidence of 5% or greater were dyspnea, myocardial toxicity, sepsis, pneumonia, febrile neutropenia, bacteremia, infection, cardiotoxicity, and hemorrhage.

Cardiovascular

Dermatologic

Gastrointestinal

Genitourinary

Hematologic

All patients developed severe neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia.

Hepatic

Hypersensitivity

Immunologic

Local

Metabolic

Musculoskeletal

Nervous system

Ocular

Other

Psychiatric

Renal

Respiratory

See also:

References

1. (2017) "Product Information. Vyxeos (cytarabine liposomal-daunorubicin liposomal)." Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Cytarabine liposomal/daunorubicin liposomal side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.