Idamycin
Idamycin is a type of antibiotic that is only used in cancer chemotherapy. It slows or
stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the
types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer
you have.
Idamycin is used to treat:
- acute myelocytic leukemia
- other types of leukemia
Possible side effects of Idamycin
Temporary reduction in the production of blood cells by the bone marrow.
This can result in anaemia, risk of bruising or bleeding and infection. The number of
blood cells in your blood may begin to lower from about seven days after the treatment has
been given and usually reaches its lowest point at 10-14 days after the chemotherapy. The
number of blood cells will then increase steadily and will usually return to normal within
21-28 days.
The extent to which your number of blood cells is reduced depends on the dose of
Idamycin you have and which other chemotherapy drugs, if any, are given in combination.
Your doctor can advise you how likely it is that your number of blood cells will be
lowered by the chemotherapy. Your blood will be checked regularly to see how well your
bone marrow is working.
If your temperature goes above 38°C (100.5°F), or you develop any unexplained
bruising or bleeding, or you suddenly feel unwell, even with a normal temperature, contact
your doctor or the hospital straight away.
Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting. There are now very effective
anti-sickness drugs to prevent or greatly reduce this. If you do feel sick it may begin a
couple of hours after the treatment is given and last for up to a couple of days. If the
sickness is not controlled, or continues, tell your doctor. They can prescribe other drugs
that may be more effective.
Sore mouth and taste change. Your mouth may become sore, or you
may notice small ulcers during this treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids and cleaning your
teeth regularly and gently with a soft toothbrush can help to reduce the risk of this
happening. Tell your doctor if you do have any of these problems as they can prescribe
special mouthwashes and medicine to prevent or clear any mouth infection.
You may notice that your food tastes different. Normal taste will come back after the
treatment finishes.
Tiredness and a general feeling of weakness. It is important to allow
yourself plenty of time to rest.
Hair loss. This usually starts 3-4 weeks after the first dose of
Idamycin, although it may happen earlier. Hair may be lost completely or may just thin.
You may also have thinning and loss of eyelashes, eyebrows and other body hair. This is
temporary and the hair will regrow once the treatment is finished.
Discoloured urine. Your urine may become a pink/red colour. This may
last for 48 hours after you have had Idamycin, and is due to the colour of the drug. It is
quite normal.
Sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. During treatment with Idamycin,
and for several months afterwards, you will be more sensitive to the sun, and your skin
may burn more easily than normal. You can still go out in the sun, but always wear a high
protection factor suncream and protective clothing.
Skin changes. Idamycin can cause a rash, which may be itchy. Your
doctor can prescribe medicine to help. Areas of skin that have previously been treated
with radiotherapy may become red and sore. Tell your doctor if this happens. Your skin may
darken, due to excess production of pigment. The darkening usually returns to normal a few
months after the treatment has finished. The skin over the vein used for the injection may
become discoloured.
Changes in nails. Your nails may darken, but this change grows out
over a few months once the treatment has finished.
Changes in the way your heart works. Higher doses of Idamycin may
cause changes in the muscle of the heart. This can affect how your heart works. The effect
on the heart depends on the dose given. It is very unusual for your heart to be affected
if you receive standard doses. Tests to see how well your heart is working may sometimes
be carried out before the drug is given.
Your liver may be temporarily affected. Idamycin may cause changes in
the way that your liver works, which return to normal when the treatment is finished. This
is very unlikely to cause you any harm, but your doctor will monitor this carefully.
Samples of your blood will be taken from time to time to check your liver function. |