Zavedos 10Mg Injection

• Remission induction in adults with previously untreated, relapsed, or refractory acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL), when intravenous treatment cannot be used.
• Single-agent treatment of advanced breast cancer that has progressed after first-line chemotherapy that did not include an anthracycline.
• May also be used as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen, as decided by the treating specialist.

• If you have a known hypersensitivity to idarubicin or any ingredient of this medicine.
• If you have severe liver impairment.
• If you have severe kidney impairment.
• If you have an uncontrolled infection.
• If you have severe heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy).
• If you have had a recent heart attack or have severe abnormal heart rhythms.
• If your bone marrow has not recovered from previous chemotherapy (persistent myelosuppression).
• If you have already received the maximum lifetime cumulative dose of idarubicin or related anthracycline medicines.
• If you are breastfeeding.

• Infections
• Low red blood cell count (anaemia)
• Severe low white blood cell count (leukopenia/neutropenia)
• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, mouth sores (mucositis/stomatitis), diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Red-coloured urine for one to two days after treatment (an expected effect, not blood in the urine)
• Fever, headache and chills

• Slow or fast heartbeat, abnormal heart rhythm, reduced heart pumping function without symptoms, heart failure or heart muscle disease
• Inflammation of the vein at the administration site and bleeding
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Raised liver enzymes or bilirubin
• Rash, itching or reaction at a site of previous radiotherapy (radiation recall)

• Blood infection (sepsis/septicaemia)
• Secondary leukaemia occurring months to years after treatment
• Dehydration or high uric acid levels
• Bleeding in the brain
• ECG abnormalities or heart attack
• Shock
• Inflammation of the gullet or bowel, including severe bowel inflammation with perforation
• Skin or nail darkening, hives or tissue damage at the injection site
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Inflammation of the heart lining or muscle, heart block or blood clots
• Very low blood counts affecting all cell types (pancytopenia) or tumour lysis syndrome

• Take Zavedos injection exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not suck, bite, or chew it, as it contains a cytotoxic drug.

• Store in a dry place, as your pharmacist advised.
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
• This is a hazardous cytotoxic medicine. Return any unused or expired capsules to your pharmacy or hospital for safe disposal rather than discarding them in household waste.

• Keep all scheduled blood test appointments so your doctor can monitor your blood counts and heart function.
• Report fever, chills, sore throat or any sign of infection to your medical team immediately.
• Watch for unusual bruising, bleeding or tiny red spots on the skin.
• It is normal for your urine to turn red for a day or two after treatment. Tell your doctor if this persists longer or if you notice actual blood in your urine or stool.
• Report any breathlessness, ankle swelling, sudden weight gain or irregular heartbeat to your doctor promptly.
• Inform all your healthcare providers that you are taking this medication before any other medical or dental procedure.

Missed a Dose

• If you miss a scheduled dose or appointment, contact your doctor or treatment centre immediately.
• Do not take an extra capsule to make up for a missed one. Your doctor will advise how to proceed based on your treatment schedule and blood counts.

Interactions with other medicines

• Other chemotherapy medicines: Combining idarubicin with other treatments that suppress bone marrow can worsen drops in blood cell counts.
• Other heart-affecting medicines: Using idarubicin together with other medicines that can affect the heart increases the need for cardiac monitoring.
• Medicines that affect liver or kidney function: These may change how the body processes idarubicin and affect its safety or effectiveness.
• Radiotherapy: Receiving radiotherapy in the weeks before idarubicin treatment can increase the risk of low blood counts.
• Live vaccines: Avoid these during treatment because they can increase the risk of serious infection. Vaccines using inactivated organisms may be less effective.
• Oral anticoagulants (blood thinners): Your doctor may need to monitor your blood clotting tests more closely.
• Ciclosporin: It can increase idarubicin levels in the body. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose if you are taking this medicine.
• Tell your doctor about all other prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements you are taking.

Interactions with food items

Other general Interactions

• You have a history of heart disease, previous anthracycline treatment or previous chest radiotherapy.
• You have liver or kidney problems.
• You have an active infection.
• You experience fever, chills or other signs of infection during treatment.
• You notice unusual bruising, bleeding or blood in your stool or urine, other than the expected red-tinged urine in the first day or two.
• You develop breathlessness, leg swelling, sudden weight gain, or an irregular heartbeat.
• You develop severe or persistent mouth sores, abdominal pain or diarrhoea.
• You are due to receive any vaccination, particularly a live vaccine.
• You are planning to have children, as idarubicin can affect fertility in both men and women.