Anthracycline chemotherapy

Idarubicin (Specialist drug)

Brand names: Zavedos

Idarubicin is an anthracycline cytotoxic antibiotic used, usually with cytarabine, in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia and other acute leukaemias.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It intercalates into DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, disrupting DNA and RNA synthesis and generating cytotoxic free radicals.

Prescribing in practice

It is cardiotoxic with a cumulative dose-related risk of heart failure, so cardiac function should be assessed before and during treatment and lifetime anthracycline exposure tracked.
It is administered by specialists experienced in cytotoxic chemotherapy, with severe myelosuppression expected.
It is a vesicant that causes severe tissue necrosis on extravasation and requires careful intravenous administration.

Monitoring

Monitor full blood count, cardiac function and liver and renal function throughout treatment.

Counselling the patient

Report breathlessness, ankle swelling, fever or signs of infection promptly.
Expect temporary reddish discolouration of the urine, which is harmless.
Effective contraception is advised during and after treatment as directed.

Evidence & guidelines

Anthracycline-based induction is supported by established acute leukaemia treatment guidelines and randomised trial evidence.

Reference: SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways