Zavedos
Zavedos is a chemotherapy medicine that destroys cancer cells and is used to treat leukemia or breast cancer.
Form
kapseli, kova
Strength
5 mg
Active Ingredient
Idarubicin hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Pfizer Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and for how many days, usually in cycles for leukemia (3 days of medicine, then a break) or breast cancer (1-3 days of medicine, repeated every 3-4 weeks).
Method
Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not open, chew, or suck on them. You can take them with food.
Important
Always follow your doctor's instructions for the daily dose. Do not take more than prescribed.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Decreased blood cell counts (may lead to fever, infections, bleeding)
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Mouth sores or inflammation
- •Diarrhea
- •Stomach pain or burning sensation
- •Fever
- •Headache
- •Chills
- •Infections
- •Loss of appetite
- •Hair loss
- •Reddish urine (for 1-2 days after dose)
- •Slow or fast heartbeat
- •Heart failure
- •Irregular heartbeat
- •Other heart muscle problems
- •Bleeding in the stomach or intestines
- •Abnormal liver test results
- •Skin rash
- •Itching
- •Increased skin sensitivity to radiation therapy
RARE
- •Abnormal ECG results
- •Heart attack
- •Inflammation of the esophagus
- •Inflammation of the colon
- •Dehydration
- •Blood poisoning (sepsis)
- •High uric acid levels (gout-like symptoms)
- •Secondary leukemia (a type of blood cancer that develops later)
- •Darkening of skin and nails
- •Hives
- •Shock
- •Brain hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain)
- •Problems with the heart's electrical system
- •Inflammation of the heart sac (pericarditis)
- •Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- •Stomach ulcers
- •Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- •Redness of arms or legs
- •Blood clots
- •Facial flushing and warmth
- •Shortage of all blood cell types
- •Tumor lysis syndrome (a complication from cancer treatment)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Zavedos if you are allergic to idarubicin or similar medicines.
- Do not take Zavedos if you have severe liver, kidney, or heart problems, or if you have already received the maximum lifetime dose of similar medicines.
- Stop breastfeeding during treatment and for at least 14 days after the last dose, as the medicine can harm your baby.
- Any existing infections (like a mouth infection) must be treated before starting Zavedos.
- Both men and women must use reliable contraception during treatment and for several months after the last dose because Zavedos can affect fertility and harm an unborn baby.
Show 1 more warnings
- Be careful when driving or using machines, as this medicine can reduce your ability to do these tasks safely.