- Name of the medicinal product
Daunorubicin 20mg Powder for I.V. Injection (Taj Pharma)
Oxirvera 20mg/Vial for I.V. use only (Taj Pharma)
Daunorubicin Hydrochloride for injection USP 20 mg powder for I.V. use only
- Qualitative and quantitative composition
Each vial contains Daunorubicin hydrochloride USP
Equivalent to Daunorubicin 20 mg
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1
- Pharmaceutical form
Vial containing a lyophilised powder for intravenous administration following reconstitution in Water for Injections and dilution with saline.
- Clinical particulars
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma Taj Pharma is indicated for the following:
– Inducing remissions of acute myelogenous and lymphocytic leukaemias.
– For the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukaemia and acute myloid leukaemia in children, as part of a combination regimen.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Adults: 40 – 60 mg/m2 on alternate days for a course of up to three injections for the induction of remissions.
Acute myelogenous leukaemia: The recommended dose is 45 mg/m2
Acute lymphocytic leukaemia: The recommended dose is 45 mg/m2
Paediatric population: Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma dosage for children (over 2 years) is usually calculated based on the body surface area and adjusted to meet the individual requirements of each patient, on the basis of clinical response and the patients’ haematological status. Courses may be repeated after 3 to 6 weeks.
Current specialised protocols and guidelines should be consulted for appropriate treatment regimen.
For children over 2 years the maximal cumulative dose is 300 mg/m2.
For children under 2 years of age (or below 0.5m2 body surface area), the maximum cumulative dose is 10mg/kg.
Elderly: Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma should be used with care in patients with inadequate bone marrow reserves due to old age. A reduction of up to 50% in dosage is recommended.
The number of injections required varies widely from patient to patient and must be determined in each case according to response and tolerance.
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma should be administered with caution when the neutrophil count is <1,500/mm3. Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma dose reduction should be considered in case of severe neutropenia.
The dosage should be reduced in patients with impaired hepatic or renal function. A 25% reduction is recommended in patients with serum bilirubin concentrations of 20 – 50 µmol/l or creatinine of 105 – 265 µmol/l. A 50% reduction is recommended in cases with serum bilirubin concentrations of above 50 µmol/l or creatinine of above 265 µmol/l.
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma is extremely irritating to tissues and may only be administered intravenously after dilution. Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma should be administered through a large vein and the infusion should be kept free flowing. When second or subsequent injections are given, the doses and time intervals depend on the effect of the previous doses and must be the subject of careful deliberation, examination of the peripheral blood and, under some circumstances, of the bone marrow.
The effect of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma on the disease process and on normal blood precursors cannot be exactly predicted for any particular case. The difference between incomplete treatment, a satisfactory remission and overdosage with possible irreversible aplasia of the bone marrow depends on the correct choice of dosage, time intervals and total number of doses.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance, any anthracyclines or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma should not be used in patients:
- recently exposed to, or with existing, chicken pox or herpes zoster.
- with persistent myelosuppression
- with severe infection
- with severe hepatic or renal function impairment
- with myocardial insufficiency
- having had recent myocardial infarction
- with severe arrhythmias
Do not administer by the intramuscular route.
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma hydrochloride must not be used if the cumulative highest dose of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma hydrochloride (500-600 mg/m2 in adults, 300 mg/m2 in children of 2 years and older, 10mg/kg body weight in children under 2 years) or another cardiotoxic anthracycline has already been previously administered, as otherwise the danger of life-threatening cardiac damage markedly increases.
Women must not breastfeed during treatment.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Special warnings
When handling Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma hydrochloride all contact with the skin and mucous membranes must be avoided. Increased safety precautions for doctors and nursing staff should be observed because of the potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic action of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma hydrochloride. Special caution is also advisable for the contact with patients’ excrement and vomit as they may contain Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma or an active metabolite. Pregnant personnel must not be allowed to come into contact with cytostatics.
Precautions for use
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma should be used under the direction of a clinician conversant with the management of acute leukaemia and cytotoxic chemotherapy. The haematological status of patients should be monitored regularly.
Relative contraindications are high-grade pancytopenia or isolated leuko-/thrombo-cytopenia.
Further relative contraindications are severe cardiac arrhythmias in particular ventricular tachycardias or arrhythmias with clinically relevant hemodynamic effects and clinically manifest heart failure – even in the history, myocardial infarction, severe disorders of the kidneys and liver, pregnancy and a poor general condition of the patient. The treating physician should weigh the benefits and risks and decide, in each individual case, on the treatment.
Uncontrolled infections, especially viral diseases (Herpes zoster) can develop into life-threatening exacerbations after Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma hydrochloride administration because of its immunosuppressive effect.
Special caution should be exercised in patients with preceding, concurrent or planned radiotherapy. These patients have an increased risk of local reactions in the radiation area (recall phenomena) during treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma hydrochloride. A preceding radiation of the mediastinum increases the cardiotoxicity of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma hydrochloride.
Patients should recover from acute toxicities of prior cytotoxic treatment (such as stomatitis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and generalized infections) before beginning treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma.
Haematopoietic system
After administration of a therapeutic dose, myelosuppression will occur in all patients. Reversible bone marrow suppression develops dose-dependently and consists primarily of leukopenia, granulocytopenia (neutropenia) and thrombocytopenia. Anaemia occurs more rarely. The nadir is achieved 8 to 10 days after starting therapy. Recovery generally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the last injection. To avoid myelotoxic complications, careful monitoring of the blood count before and during treatment with special attention to the leukocytes, granulocytes, platelets and erythrocytes is necessary. Fever, infections, sepsis, septic shock, hemorrhages and tissue hypoxia may occur as sequelae of the myelosuppression and these may even lead to death. It must be guaranteed that a severe infection and/or bleeding episode can be treated quickly and effectively. Myelosuppression may require intensive supportive treatment.
Secondary Leukaemia
Secondary leukaemia, with or without a pre-leukaemic phase, has been reported in patients treated with anthracyclines, including Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma. Secondary leukaemia is more common when such drugs are given in combination with DNA-damaging antineoplastic agents, in combination with radiotherapy, when patients have been heavily pre-treated with cytotoxic drugs, or when doses of the anthracyclines have been escalated. These leukaemias can have a 1- to 3-year latency period.
Cardiotoxicity
Damage to the myocardium is one of the major risks of treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma Taj Pharma hydrochloride. Toxic myocardial damage by Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride can occur in two forms. The dose-independent “acute type” is manifested by supraventricular arrhythmias (sinus tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, AV-block) and/or non-specific ECG abnormalities (ST-T wave changes, low voltage QRS complex, T waves). Angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, endomyocardial fibrosis, pericarditis/myocarditis have also been reported. In the “delayed type”, congestive cardiomyopathy may develop, especially after high cumulative doses of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride. Sometimes this occurs during therapy, but frequently also only months to years after completing treatment and is clinically manifested by global heart failure, which occasionally leads to death through acute heart failure. The severity and frequency of these side effects depend on the cumulative Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride dose. Careful monitoring of the cardiac function before, during and after treatment is therefore recommended in order to identify the risk of cardiac complications as early as possible. For routine monitoring the most suitable means are ECG and the determination of the left ventricular ejection fraction (UCG, MUGA scan).
The threshold dose for adults is about 550 mg/m2, for children over two years of age about 300 mg/m2 and for children under 2 years about 10 mg/kg body weight.
Risk factors for cardiac toxicity include active or dormant cardiovascular disease, prior or concomitant radiotherapy to the mediastinal/pericardial area, previous therapy with other anthracyclines or anthracenediones, and concomitant use of drugs with the ability to suppress cardiac contractility or cardiotoxic drugs (e.g., trastuzumab). Anthracyclines including Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should not be administered in combination with other cardiotoxic agents unless the patient’s cardiac function is closely monitored. Patients receiving anthracyclines after stopping treatment with other cardiotoxic agents, especially those with long half-lives such as trastuzumab, may also be at an increased risk of developing cardiotoxicity. Under these conditions, a total cumulative dose of 400 mg/m2 in adults should be exceeded only with extreme caution.
Elderly patients, patients with a history of cardiac disease or manifest arterial hypertension and thoracic irradiation are endangered to a greater degree, as are also children.
Under these conditions, a total cumulative dose of 400 mg/m2 should not be exceeded in adults. Because of an increased risk of myocardial damage in children and adolescents, long-term cardiologic follow-up observation is recommended in these cases.
Several long-term studies in children also suggest that after anthracycline treatment congestive cardiomyopathies with a latency of many years and a progredient course may occur.
In comparison to adults, already lower cumulative total doses probably lead to clinically relevant cardiac dysfunction. A publication by Steinherz et al. (JAMA, Sep 25, 1991 – Vol 266, no. 12) describes the cardiotoxic long-term side effects of doxorubicin and Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride in 201 treated children. The patients received a cumulative total dose of doxorubicin and/or Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride between 200 and 1275 mg/m2 (median 450 mg/m2), partly also mediastinal radiation. Treatments took place 4 to 20 years ago (median 7 years). The cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin was assumed to be comparable to that of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride. An impaired cardiac pumping function was seen if the shortening fraction in the echocardiogram was determined to be <29 % or the ejection fraction in the radionucleide ventriculogram <50 % or a decrease was observed upon physical exercise. The incidence of an impaired cardiac function was 11% when the cumulative anthracycline dose was below 400 mg/m2, 28% at a dose between 400mg and 599mg/m2 and 47% at a dose between 600 and 799mg/m2 and 100% in seven patients who had received more than 800mg/m2. Additional radiation increased the incidence of cardiac dysfunction at each dose stage. 9 out of 201 examined patients additionally experienced cardiac symptoms in the form of cardiac insufficiency, conduction disorders and arrthymias. In 4 out of the 9 patients affected, symptoms occurred for the first time 12 to 18 years after completion of chemotherapy.
Liver and renal function
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride is metabolized predominantly in the liver and is excreted via the bile. To avoid complications monitoring of the liver function before starting treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride is recommended. Impairment of liver function requires a dose reduction, which is based on the serum bilirubin level.
Impaired renal function can also induce an increase in toxicity. The renal function should therefore be monitored before starting treatment.
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should be used with care in patients at risk of hyperuricaemia (e.g. in the presence of gout, urate and renal calculi), tumour cell infiltration of the bone marrow and in patients with inadequate bone marrow reserves due to previous cytotoxic drug or radiation therapy. The cumulative dose of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should be limited to 400 mg/m2 when radiation therapy to the mediastinum has been previously administered. The dose of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should not be repeated in the presence of bone marrow depression or buccal ulceration.
Hyperuricemia and uric acid nephropathy may occur as a consequence of massive death of the leukaemic cells with possible impairment of renal function, especially in the presence of elevated pre-treatment WBC counts. The extent is dependent on the total tumor mass. Prophylactic administration of allopurinol is necessary in the treatment of acute leukaemia (first cycle) in order to avoid tubulus damage with renal failure for the above reasons. The development of a nephrotic syndrome may be induced. Blood uric acid levels, potassium, calcium phosphate, and creatinine should be evaluated after initial treatment. Hydration, urine alkalinisation, and prophylaxis with allopurinol to prevent hyperuricemia may minimise potential complications of tumor-lysis syndrome.
Immunosuppressant effects/Increased susceptibility to infections
Administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines in patients that are immuno-compromised by chemotherapeutic agents, including Daunorubicin Taj Pharma, may result in serious or fatal infections. Vaccination with a live vaccine should be avoided in patients receiving Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. Killed or inactivated vaccines may be administered; however, the response to such vaccines may be diminished.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma may cause nausea and vomiting. Severe nausea and vomiting may produce dehydration. Nausea and vomiting may be prevented or alleviated by the administration of appropriate antiemetic therapy.
Mucositis/stomatitis generally appears early after drug administration and, if severe, may progress over a few days to mucosal ulcerations. Most patients recover from this adverse event by the third week of therapy.
Cases of colitis, enterocolitis and neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis) have been observed in patients treated with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. Treatment discontinuation and prompt appropriate medical treatment are recommended (see section 4.8).
General disorders and administration site conditions
After paravasal administration local irritation and, depending on the quantity involved, severe cellulitis, painful ulceration and tissue necrosis will occur. Under some circumstances they may require surgical intervention. Irreversible tissue damage is possible. Local phlebitis, thrombophlebitis and/or venous sclerosis/phlebosclerosis may also occur, especially if Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride is injected into small vessels or repeatedly into the same vein. The risk of phlebitis/thrombophlebitis can be minimised by following the procedures recommended in section 4.2.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Complete alopecia involving beard growth and the scalp, axillary and pubic hair occurs almost always with full doses of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. This side-effect may cause distress to patients but is usually reversible, with regrowth of hair, which usually occurs within two to three months from the termination of therapy.
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride inhibits fertility. Amenorrhea and azoospermia may occur. The severity is dose dependent. Irreversible disorders of fertility are possible (see section 4.6).
Care should be taken to avoid extravasation during intravenous administration. All steps should be taken to avoid tissuing and bandages should be avoided. Facial flushing or erythematous streaking along veins indicates too rapid injection. If tissue necrosis is suspected, the infusion should be stopped immediately and resumed in another vein. Where extravasation has occurred, an attempt should be made to aspirate the fluid back through the needle. The affected area may be injected with hydrocortisone. Sodium bicarbonate (5ml of 8.4% w/v solution) may also be injected in the hope that through pH change the drug will hydrolyse. The opinion of a plastic surgeon should be sought as skin grafting may be required.
Application of ice packs may help decrease local discomfort and also prevent extension. Liberal application of corticosteroid cream and dressing the area with sterile gauze should then be carried out.
Infections and infestations
Each patient should be given a clinical and bacteriological examination to determine whether infection is present; any infection should be adequately eliminated before treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma which might depress the bone marrow to the point where anti-infective agents would no longer be effective. If during Daunorubicin Taj Pharma treatment a patient becomes febrile (regardless of the neutrophil count), treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics should be initiated. If facilities are available, patients should be treated in a germ-free environment or, where it is not possible, reverse barrier nursing and aseptic precautions should be employed.
Anti-infective therapy should be employed in the presence of suspected or confirmed infection and during a phase of aplasia. It should be continued for some time after the marrow has regenerated. Care should also be used in patients at risk of infection.
Haematology
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma can produce bone marrow suppression. Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should be administered with caution when the neutrophil count is <1,500/mm3. Febrile neutropenia has been reported when Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is given in combination with other antineoplastic treatments.
Monitoring of blood counts prior to and during Daunorubicin Taj Pharma treatment is recommended, and haematological abnormalities should be treated promptly.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES, also known as Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome, RPLS)
Cases of PRES have been reported with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma used in combination chemotherapy. PRES is a neurological disorder which can present with headache, seizure, lethargy, confusion, blindness and other visual and neurologic disturbances. Mild to severe hypertension may be present. Magnetic resonance imaging is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of PRES. In patients with PRES, the discontinuation of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma treatment should be considered.
Secondary malignancies
Secondary malignancies have been reported when Daunorubicin Taj Pharma was given in combination with other antineoplastic treatments known to be associated with secondary malignancies. Secondary malignancies (including leukemia) may occur during Daunorubicin Taj Pharma-containing therapy, or several months or years after the end of therapy. Patients should be monitored for secondary malignancies.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
As Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride is in most cases used as part of a combination therapy with other cytostatics, total toxicity may be potentiated particularly with regard to myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicity.
Concurrent use of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride and other cardiotoxic substances, or a radiation therapy of the mediastinum, increases the cardiotoxicity of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride. Therefore, as with concurrent administration of other cardioactive substances (e.g. calcium antagonists), an especially careful supervision of the heart function during the entire therapy is required. If patients were/are (pre)treated with medicinal products influencing the bone marrow function (e.g. cytostatics, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, diphenylhydantoin, amidopyrine derivatives, antiretroviral agents) the possibility of a marked disorder of hematopoiesis should be borne in mind. The dose of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride should be modified if required. If combined with other cytostatics (e. g. cytarabin, cyclophosphamide), the toxic effects of the Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride therapy may be potentiated.
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride is mainly metabolized in the liver; each accompanying medication influencing liver function may also influence the metabolism or pharmacokinetics of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride and as a consequence influence efficacy and/or toxicity. The combination of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride with potentially hepatotoxic medicinal products (e.g. methotrexate) may upon impairment of the hepatic metabolism and/or biliary excretion of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride lead to an increase in toxicity of the substance. This may result in a potentiation of the side effects.
Upon concurrent administration of other cytostatics, the risk for the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects increases. Medicinal products leading to a delayed excretion of uric acid (e.g. sulfonamides, certain diuretics) may cause potentiated hyperuricemia upon concurrent use of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride.
It should generally be taken into consideration that the intake and absorption of oral accompanying medicinal products may be considerably influenced by an oral and gastrointestinal mucositis frequently occurring in association with an intensive Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride-containing chemotherapy.
In association with the concurrent intake of thrombocyte aggregation inhibiting substances (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid), an additionally increased bleeding tendency must be anticipated in thrombocytopenic patients.
No vaccinations with viable pathogens should be carried out during Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride therapy.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Fertility and Contraceptive Measures
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma could induce chromosomal damage in human spermatozoa. Men should receive counselling on sperm conservation before start of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma treatment because of the possibility of irreversible infertility.
Men undergoing treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should use effective contraceptive methods during and up to 6 months after treatment.
Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. For women who want to become pregnant after completing Daunorubicin Taj Pharma treatment, genetic counselling is also recommended.
Pregnancy
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma crosses the placenta and experiments in animals have shown it to be mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic.
Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Like most other anticancer drugs, Daunorubicin Taj Pharma has shown embryotoxic, teratogenic, mutagenic and carcinogenic potential in animals. There are no or limited amount of data from the use of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma in pregnant women, although a few women who received Daunorubicin Taj Pharma during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy have delivered apparently normal infants.
According to experimental data, the drug must be considered as a potential cause of foetal malformations when administered to a pregnant woman. Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should not be used during pregnancy unless the clinical condition of the woman requires treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma and justifies the potential risk to the foetus. Women of child-bearing potential who have to undergo Daunorubicin Taj Pharma therapy should be apprised of the potential hazard to the foetus and should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant during treatment. If the drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving the drug, the woman should be informed of the potential hazard to the foetus. The possibility of genetic counselling should also be utilized. In any case, cardiologic examination and a blood count are recommended in foetuses and newborns born to mothers who received treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
It is unknown whether Daunorubicin Taj Pharma/metabolites are excreted in human milk; other anthracyclines are excreted in breast milk. Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is contraindicated during breast-feeding (see section 4.3).
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, confusion, seizures and visual disturbances have been observed in patients treated with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma combination therapy. Therefore, patients should be warned of the possible impact of the side effects on their ability to drive or use machines, and be advised not to drive or use machines if they experience these side effects during treatment.
4.8 Undesirable effects
| Blood and the lymphatic system disorders | Bone marrow failure, leucopenia, anaemia, granulocytopenia (neutropenia), thrombocytopenia Frequency not known: febrile neutropenia, including with fatal outcomes, has been reported. |
| Infections and infestations | *Serious infections (including sepsis, septic shock and pneumonia |
| Immune system disorders | Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | Dehydration, tumor lysis syndrome, acute hyperuricaemia |
| Nervous system disorders | Frequency not known: Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES, also known as Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome, RPLS), including with fatal outcomes, has been reported. |
| Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (including cysts and polyps) | Secondary malignancies, including leukemia have been reported in association with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma when used in combination with other antineoplastic treatments known to be associated with secondary malignancies |
| Cardiac disorders | Cardiomyopathy (clinically manifested by dyspnea, cyanosis, dependent oedema [peripheral, cardiac], hepatomegaly, ascites, pleural effusion and overt congestive heart failure), endomyocardial fibrosis, myocardial ischemia (angina) and myocardial infarction, pericarditis/myocarditis, supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (such as sinus tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, heart block) |
| Vascular disorders | Shock, haemorrhage, flushes |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | Tissue hypoxia |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Mucositis/stomatitis (pain, or burning sensation, erythema, erosions-ulcerations, bleeding, infections), esophagitis, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, colitis including neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis), enterocolitis |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Alopecia (reversible), contact dermatitis, erythema, hypersensitivity to irradiated skin (‘radiation recall reaction’), pruritus, skin rash, skin and nail hyperpigmentation, urticaria |
| Renal and urinary disorders | Nephrotic syndrome, uric acid nephropathy, red color of urine for 1 to 2 days after administration |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | Amenorrhea, azoospermia |
| Congenital, familial and genetic disorders | Aplasia |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | Death, fulminant hyperpyrexia, perivenous extravasation (immediate local pain/burning sensation, severe cellulitis, painful ulceration and tissue necrosis), venous sclerosis/phlebosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, local phlebitis, pain, fever, chills |
| Investigations | ECG abnormalities (such as non-specific ST-T wave changes, low voltage QRS complex, T waves), transient elevations in serum bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase concentrations |
* which sometimes can be fatal
Bone marrow depression
In every patient bone marrow function will be depressed by treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma and in a variable proportion of cases, severe aplasia will develop. The consequence may include severe infection and opportunistic infection.
Leucopenia is usually more significant than thrombocytopenia. The nadir for leucopenia usually occurs between 10 – 14 days and recovery occurs gradually over the next 1 – 2 weeks. Bone marrow depression must be anticipated in every case by eliminating infection before treatment, by isolating the patient from infection during treatment and by means of supportive therapy. This includes the continuous administration of anti-infective agents, the administration of platelet-rich plasma or fresh whole blood transfusion and, under some circumstances, the transfusion of white cell concentrates.
Rapid destruction of a large number of leukaemia cells may cause a rise in blood uric acid or urea and so it is a wise precaution to check these concentrations three or four times a week during the first week of treatment. Fluids should be administered and allopurinol used in severe cases to prevent the development of hyperuricaemia.
Patients with heart disease should not be treated with this potentially cardiotoxic drug. Cardiotoxicity, if it occurs, is likely to be heralded by either a persistent tachycardia, shortness of breath, swelling of feet and lower limbs or by minor changes in the electrocardiogram and for this reason an electrocardiographic examination should be made at regular intervals during the treatment. Cardiotoxicity usually appears within 1 to 6 months after initiation of therapy. It may develop suddenly and not be detected by routine ECG. It may be irreversible and fatal but responds to treatment if detected early.
The risk of congestive heart failure increases significantly when the total cumulative dosage exceeds 600mg/m2 in adults, 300mg/m2 in children over 2 years or 10mg/kg in children under 2 years. Cardiotoxicity may be more frequent in children and the elderly. The dosage should be modified if previous or concomitant cardiotoxic drug therapy is used.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. By reporting side effects you can help to provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
4.9 Overdose
Overdosage and intoxication
Very high single doses of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride may cause acute myocardial degeneration within 24 hours and severe myelosuppression within 10 – 14 days.
The occurrence of cardiac damage up to several months after an overdose has been reported for anthracyclines.
Treatment of intoxication
A specific antidote for Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride is not known. In case of myocardial weakness, a cardiologist should be consulted and treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride withdrawn. In the presence of marked myelosuppression suitable supportive treatment should be initiated, depending on which myelopoietic system is mostly affected, e. g. the transfer of the patient to an aseptic room or transfusion of the lacking cell elements.
Extravasation
Paravenous injection leads to local necroses and thrombophlebitis. Should a burning sensation develop in the region of the infusion needle, this indicates paravenous administration.
Treatment of extravasation
If extravasation occurs, the infusion or injection should be stopped immediately. The needle should initially be left in place and then removed after brief aspiration. It is recommended that dimethyl sulfoxide 99 % (DMSO 99 %) should be applied locally to an area twice as large as the area affected (4 drops for 10 cm2 skin surface) and that this should be repeated three times daily over a period of at least 14 days. If necessary, debridement should also be considered. Because of the contradictory mechanism, cooling of the area, e. g. to reduce pain, should take place sequentially with the DMSO application (vasoconstriction versus vasodilatation). Other measures given in literature are disputed and are not of unequivocal value.
- Pharmacological properties
- 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is an anthracycline glycoside antibiotic and is a potent antileukaemic agent. It also has immunosuppressant effects.
The exact mechanism of antineoplastic action is uncertain but may involve binding to DNA by intercalation between base pairs and inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis by template disordering and steric obstruction. Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is most active in the S-phase of cell division but is not cycle phase specific. Tumour cell cross-resistance has been observed between Daunorubicin Taj Pharma and doxorubicin.
No controlled paediatric studies have been conducted.
The literature mentions the use of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma in treatment regimens for ALL and AML, including paediatric age groups. However, due to the ongoing search for a balance in gain or maintenance of efficacy and a decrease in toxicity the use of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma in the treatment of paediatric ALL and AML is fluctuating in clinical practice, mainly depending on risk stratification and specific subgroups. Published studies suggest no differences in safety profile between paediatric patients and adults.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is rapidly taken up by tissues, especially by the kidneys, spleen, liver and heart. It does not cross the blood-brain barrier, subsequent release of drug and its metabolites from the tissues is slow (t½ = 55 hours). Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is rapidly metabolised in the liver. The major metabolite Daunorubicin Taj Pharmaol is also active. Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is excreted slowly in the urine, mainly as metabolites with 25% excreted in the first 5 days. Biliary excretion also makes a significant (40%) contribution to elimination.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
No further information available.
- Pharmaceutical particulars
6.1 List of excipients
Mannitol.
6.2 Incompatibilities
The reconstituted solution is incompatible with heparin sodium injection and dexamethasone sodium phosphate.
6.3 Shelf life
3 years.
After reconstitution Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should be used within 24 hours.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 25°C and protect from light.
After reconstitution Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should be stored at 2 – 8°C, protected from light.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Glass vial with rubber cap
Pack sizes of 1 vial and 10 vials.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
The contents of a vial should be reconstituted with 4ml of Water for Injection giving a concentration of 5 mg per ml. The calculated dose of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should be further diluted with normal saline to give a final concentration of 1 mg per ml. The solution should be injected over a 20 minute period into the tubing, or side arm, of a well placed, rapidly flowing i.v. infusion of normal saline (to minimise extravasation and possible tissue necrosis). Alternatively, the Daunorubicin Taj Pharma may be added to a minibag of sodium chloride injection 0.9% and this solution infused into the side arm of a rapidly flowing infusion of normal saline.
Manufactured in India by:
- Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited
at Survey No.188/1 to, 190/1 to 4,
Athiyawad, Dabhel, Daman 396210
(India)
Contact info: Please do not hesitate to send us a message, If you got any questions. We reply within 24 hours!Taj Pharma Group (India)
214, Bake House, Bake House Lane,
Fort, Mumbai 400001, India.
1800-222-434 or 1800-222-825
For inquiry please call us on Troll Free Number
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma 20mg Powder for I.V Injection
Package leaflet: Information for the user
DAUNORUBICIN TAJ PHARMA 20MG POWDER FOR l.V. INJECTION
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or nurse
- If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet (see section 4).
What is in this leaflet
- What Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Daunorubicin Taj Pharma
3. How you will be given Daunorubicin Taj Pharma
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Daunorubicin Taj Pharma
6 Contents of the pack and other information - WHAT DAUNORUBICIN TAJ PHARMA IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
The name of your medicine is Daunorubicin Taj Pharma 20 mg Powder for l.V. Injection (called Daunorubicin Taj Pharma in this leaflet). lt belongs to a group of medicines used to treat acute leukaemia.
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma works by attacking and destroying the abnormal white blood cells which are present in a person with leukaemia.
Information about Leukaemia
Leukaemia is the name for a number of diseases of the white blood cells, which form part of your blood. These cells are produced in your bone marrow. In leukaemia, the white blood cells multiply in an uncontrolled and abnormal way.
The most common signs of leukaemia are:
- Increased number of white cells in the blood. This causes easy bruising and nose bleeds
- Feeling tired, faint, dizzy, having pale skin. These could be symptoms of anaemia
- Extreme tiredness (exhaustion), and headaches
- Bone and joint pain
- Severe infection and fever
- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE DAUNORUBIOIN
Before treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor.
Do not have Daunorubicin Taj Pharma it:
- You are sensitive to, or allergic to, Daunorubicin Taj Pharma or other anthracyclines or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue - You have chicken pox or shingles, or you have been in recent contact with anyone who has chicken pox or shingles
- You have an infection, fever or high temperature
- You have any heart problems
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have a lot of mouth ulcers
Do not have Daunorubicin Taj Pharma if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or nurse.
Warning and precautions
Talk to your doctor or nurse before you are given Daunorubicin Taj Pharma it:
- You have had radiation treatment to the chest
- You have had any other medicines to treat leukaemia (or cancer)
- You have or have ever had gout
- You have or have ever had kidney stones or any other kidney problems
- You have any liver problems
- You are sexually active, you are advised to use effective birth control lo prevent pregnancy during treatment, whether you are male or female.
Before each treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. your doctor will do blood tests to check that you have enough white blood cells (which are important for fighting infection) to receive Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. If you feel you have a fever, please contact your doctor immediately.
Talk to your doctor or nurse during the use of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma:
- If you notice any pain in your side, blood in your urine or reduced amount of urine. When your disease is very severe, your body may not be able to clear all the waste products from the dying cancer cells. This is called tumour lysis syndrome and can cause kidney failure and heart problems soon after the first dose of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. Your doctor will be aware of this and may give you other medicines to help prevent it.
- If you have abdominal pain as a result of inflammation of the bowels (colitis).
A neurological disorder called PRES has been reported when treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma has been used in combination with other cancer treatments. PRES can cause symptoms such as headache, seizures, lethargy, confusion and disturbed vision. If you experience any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or nurse before being given Daunorubicin Taj Pharma.
Other medicines and Daunorubicin Taj Pharma
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any:
- Other medicines that may affect your heart for example, medicines to treat cancer such as 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, taxanes, calcium channel blockers used to control high blood pressure, chest pain, and irregular heartbeats and if you are receiving chest radiotherapy.
- Other medicines that may affect the bone marrow for example, other cancer treatments, sulphonamide, chloramphenicol (used to treat infection), diphenylhydantoin (used to treat epilepsy), amidopyrine-derivative (used to relieve pain), antiretroviral agents (used to treat HIV infection) may alter the formation of blood cells
- Other medicines that may affect your liver e.g barbiturates (drugs used in epilepsy or sleep disorders) and rifampicin (a drug used to treat TB – Tuberculosis)
- Live attenuated vaccines
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Do not have Daunorubicin Taj Pharma if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or think you might be pregnant as Daunorubicin Taj Pharma can be very damaging to your unborn baby (embryo). If pregnancy occurs during treatment this should be discussed with your doctor.
Both female and male patients must take special precautions in their sexual activity if there is any possibility for pregnancy to occur:
- For a girl or woman of childbearing age:
You must have a negative pregnancy test before treatment and each month during treatment. This should be discussed with your doctor.
- For men:
Do not have sex with a pregnant woman unless you use a condom. This will lessen the possibility for Daunorubicin Taj Pharma to be left in the woman’s body.
You and your female partner must each use an effective contraceptive during the time you are taking Daunorubicin Taj Pharma and or 6 months after stopping treatment. This should be discussed with your doctor.
Men who wish to father children in the future should seek advice about freezing sperm before treatment with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is started.
If you are a woman who is breast-feeding, you must not take Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. Discontinue breast-feeding before starting to take Daunorubicin Taj Pharma.
Driving and using machines
You may feel and/or be sick after being given this medicine, therefore special care should be taken when driving or using machines.
There is no information available about how Daunorubicin Taj Pharma might affect your ability to drive or use machines.
- HOW YOU WILL BE GIVEN DAUNORUBICIN TAJ PHARMA
How Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is given
- Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is a medicine used in hospitals
- It will be given to you by a doctor or nurse as an injection into one of your veins
- It will be given over about 20 minutes (this is called an intravenous infusion)
- It should never be given as a single injection under the skin or into a muscle
- The site of injection should not be covered or bandaged
Tell your doctor or nurse straight away if:
- You have any pain, swelling or warmth around the vein where Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is being injected
- You notice that your face is red while the injection is being given to you. This may be a sign that the injection is being given too quickly
How much Daunorubicin Taj Pharma will be given
- The exact dose will be determined by your doctor. It will depend on your age, height, weight and your general medical condition. The usual dose for a person weighing 70kg (12 stone) would be about 80mg
- Your course of treatment may be altered, depending on how your body reacts to the medicine
- Daunorubicin Taj Pharma may be given alone or in combination with other medicines to treat or prevent side effects
Tests while having Daunorubicin Taj Pharma
Your condition will be closely monitored during treatment. This may involve blood, urine tests or heart monitoring (called ECG).
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
- POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody who is given this medicine will be affected in the same way. If you are worried about side effects you should discuss them with your doctor, who will explain the risks and benefits of your treatment.
Some of the side effects can be lessened or treated by other medicines or therapy.
Tell your doctor or nurse straight away if:
- You have pain, swelling or warmth in or around the vein where Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is being injected
- You have a red face while Daunorubicin Taj Pharma is being injected. This may be a sign that the injection is being given too quickly
- You get fevers, chills or other signs of infection, which sometimes can be fatal
- You have any severe infections, such as those of the blood (sepsis), which may also cause low blood pressure (septic shock, a life-threatening form of sepsis) or inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia)
- You have difficulty in breathing
- You have swelling of the feet or legs
- You have an uneven or fast heart beat
- You have black or tarry bowel motions
- You are being sick (vomiting) and bring up blood or dark brown coffee-coloured granules
- You notice any unusual bleeding or bruising
- You develop a neurological disorder called Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES, also known as Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome, RPLS)
Symptoms include a severe or persistent headache, abnormal vision (such as blurred vision or vision loss), seizures (fits), confusion or memory loss or abnormal behaviour.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following side effects:
- You feel sick (nausea) or are sick (vomit)
- You have diarrhoea
- You have inflammation of the bowel
- You have a skin rash
- You have sores in the mouth or on the lips
Other side effects include:
- Decreased numbers of different types of blood cells (granulocytopenia, leukopenia and neutropenia, anaemia) which may cause tiredness, fever or increased risk of bleeding
- Leukaemia (a type of blood cancer) and other cancers may occur in patients who are treated with Daunorubicin Taj Pharma together with certain other anticancer treatments
- Reduced number of white blood cells (which are important for fighting infection) associated with fever, including fatal cases
- Changes in metabolism caused by dying cancer cells releasing their contents into the bloodstream (tumour lysis syndrome)
- Feeling very dry and thirsty (dehydration)
- Inflammation of mucous membranes (mucositis), of the mouth with areas of painful erosions, ulceration and bleeding (stomalitis) and of the oesophagus (oesophagitis)
- Loss of appetite
- Increased pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) of skin and nails
- Daunorubicin Taj Pharma can make your urine turn red for a couple of days after each dose
- Medicines like Daunorubicin Taj Pharma often cause temporary loss of hair. After your treatment finishes your hair should grow back
- Disease of the bone marrow
- Infections, which sometimes can be fatal
There have been reports of secondary tumours (secondary leukaemia) following use of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma in combination with other anti-cancer drugs.
After stopping treatment
After you have finished your course of treatment, you may still get side effects. Tell your doctor or nurse straightaway if:
- You have difficulty in breathing
- You have swelling of the feet or legs
- You get an uneven or fast heart beat
Reporting of side effects
- HOW TO STORE DAUNORUBICIN TAJ PHARMA
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Daunorubicin Taj Pharma should not be used after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
- The vials of powder should be kept at room temperature and protected from light.
- The Daunorubicin Taj Pharma solutions made up from the powder should be stored at between 2 – 8°C, protected from light and used within 24 hours.
- Following the injection, Daunorubicin Taj Pharma will be disposed of carefully by the doctor or nurse.
- CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Daunorubicin Taj Pharma 20mg Powder for l.V Injection contains:
The active ingredient is Daunorubicin Taj Pharma hydrochloride. Each vial contains 20mg of Daunorubicin Taj Pharma. Each vial also contains mannitol.
What Daunorubicin Taj Pharma 20mg Powder for l.V. Injection looks like and contents of the pack:
Daunorubicin Taj Pharma 20mg Powder for l.V. Injection comes as a vial containing a red powder. The solution prepared with this powder is also red.
The vials are available in packs of 1 and 10 vials.
- Manufactured in India by:
Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited
at Survey No.188/1 to, 190/1 to 4,
Athiyawad, Dabhel, Daman 396210
(India)
Contact info: Please do not hesitate to send us a message, If you got any questions. We reply within 24 hours!Taj Pharma Group (India)
214, Bake House, Bake House Lane,
Fort, Mumbai 400001, India.
1800-222-434 or 1800-222-825
For inquiry please call us on Troll Free Number
