Daunorubicin Citrate Liposome

Brand Name:

Daunoxome

Liposomal daunorubicin is a cytotoxic agent that is used to treat a certain type of skin cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma, which is associated with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This cancer usually affects the skin but can also involve the lungs and intestines. 

Liposomal daunorubicin works by interfering with cancer cell growth. These cells are eventually destroyed by the body. Liposomal daunorubicin also affects normal cells which lead to the development of side effects like hair loss. 

Some effects can be serious or can manifest months or years after the last dose of liposomal daunorubicin. This medication should only be administered by a physician or under the supervision of one. It is available as a solution.

Before you start treatment with liposomal daunorubicin, discuss the associated risks and benefits with your treating physician. You also need to consider other factors to make sure this medication is right for you. You should not take this medicine if you’ve had allergic reactions to it or any of its components in the past. 

The safety and efficacy of liposomal daunorubicin in pediatric patients have not been established. Also, it is not known if this medication acts differently in geriatric patients compared to other age groups. Liposomal daunorubicin can put the fetus at risk and is a pregnancy category D. However, there hasn’t been enough research done regarding its effects on breastfeeding infants. 

Pregnant women and lactating mothers need to consider the pros and cons carefully. You should not receive live rotavirus vaccine while on liposomal daunorubicin. 

The following vaccines are usually not recommended but can be necessary at times: 

• live adenovirus vaccine type 4 
• live adenovirus vaccine type 7
• live Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine
• live influenza vaccine
• live measles vaccine
• live poliovirus vaccine
• live mumps virus vaccine
• live rubella vaccine
• smallpox vaccine
• trastuzumab
• typhoid Vaccine
• varicella virus vaccine
• yellow fever vaccine

Inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions: chickenpox, herpes zoster, gout, kidney stones, heart disease, infection, kidney disease or liver disease.

Liposomal daunorubicin may be given in combination with other medications. Make sure that you receive each medicine at the proper time. You can also ask your nurse or doctor to help you make a suitable medication schedule especially if you have oral medicines. 

Your physician may ask you to drink plenty of fluids when you are on liposomal daunorubicin treatment. This is to increase your urine volume which can help prevent kidney problems. Nausea and vomiting is a common side effect of liposomal daunorubicin. 

You can ask your healthcare provider for tips to decrease those. The dosage of liposomal daunorubicin for adults is based on the body surface area but the starting dose is 40 mg/m2 and is given every two weeks.

There are several precautions you need to take because liposomal daunorubicin can have various effects on the body. Make sure you go to all your follow-up appointments so that your doctor can monitor your progress. 

As mentioned earlier, do not get vaccinated without prior approval from your physician. You should also avoid people who recently got vaccinated. You can also wear a protective face mask that will cover your nose and mouth. 

Liposomal daunorubicin can decrease your white blood cells, which leaves you prone to infection and bleeding. So be careful and practice good hygiene. Avoid people who are sick. Also, you need to be careful around sharp edges, as well as avoid strenuous activities that can lead to bruising and trauma. 

Inform your doctor immediately if you have cough or hoarseness, fever or chills, painful urination or lower back/side pain. You should also watch out for unusual bleeding/bruising, blood in urine or stools, black/tarry stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.

Liposomal daunorubicin has many side effects although you may not experience all of them. The most common effects that may need medical treatment include: 

• cough/hoarseness
• lower back/side pain
• fever/chills
• shortness of breath
• painful/difficult urination
• sore throat
• troubled breathing, or 
• weakness in arms or legs

Less common side effects include: 

• black/tarry stools
• bloody vomit
• chest pain
• coughing up blood
• blood in urine or stools
• fainting
• irregular heartbeat
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• sores in mouth and on lips
• unusual nighttime urination
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight gain

This medication can also cause the urine to turn reddish in color. Another side effect is hair loss. Normal hair growth usually returns after treatment with the agent. If you experience side effects not listed here, inform your doctor immediately.