It's normal to feel a little scared and nervous when your doctor tells you or someone close to you about chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer. But when you are properly informed about this treatment, that fear can be reduced to a great extent. Today we are talking about one such anti-cancer drug, the Daunorubicin Liposomal injection. This is intended to explain this to you simply and in a way that you can understand.
What kind of medicine is this? (What is this medication?)
Simply put, it is a type of chemotherapy drug used to kill cancer cells. It is most commonly used to treat a type of cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma .
Now you're probably wondering what the 'liposomal' part of this name is. It's very simple. Imagine that this drug is placed inside a small fat bubble. This is done to allow the drug to go directly to the cancer cells and work while minimizing damage to healthy cells. This technology increases the effectiveness of the drug.
Doctors may also prescribe this medicine for other medical conditions, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before deciding if this treatment is right for you, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- Any blood disease or anemia (blood disorders).
- Heart disease.
- An existing infection, especially viral infections such as chickenpox and herpes.
- Kidney disease.
- Liver disease.
- If you have recently received or are currently receiving radiation therapy.
- If you have an allergic reaction to daunorubicin, other chemotherapy drugs, other medications, foods, artificial colors, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding , this is very important.
How to use the medicine?
This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein (saline). This is not something you can do at home. It is given in a hospital or clinic by a healthcare professional who has received special training in this area.
If you experience any pain, swelling, burning , or other unusual sensations around the injection site during or after the injection, notify the doctor or nurse immediately.
If you suspect an overdose of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason. Also, if you miss a scheduled treatment, call your doctor right away to ask what to do next.
Things to consider during treatment
Your condition will be monitored closely by your doctors while you are taking this medicine. You will also need to have regular blood tests.
Common discomforts
Chemotherapy affects not only cancer cells but also some healthy cells in our body. So it is normal to feel tired and lethargic. This is something that many people experience. No matter how difficult it is for you, do not stop the treatment course until your doctor tells you to . Tell your doctor if you experience any side effects.
Change in urine color
Your urine may turn red for a few days after taking the medicine. This is not blood, but an effect of the medicine. So don't worry. However, if your urine turns dark or brown, you should tell your doctor about it.
Watch out for infections and bleeding.
This is the most important thing. This medicine can reduce the number of white blood cells in your body. These cells are what protect our body from diseases.
- So if you have symptoms like fever, chills, body aches, or a sore throat , don't self-medicate. Call your doctor immediately.
- Try to stay away from people who are sick.
- Also, the risk of bleeding increases due to a decrease in blood platelets. Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual bruising, small red spots on your skin, black stools, or blood in your urine.
- Be very careful when brushing and flossing your teeth. Your gums may bleed. If you are having any dental treatment, tell your dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Be careful with painkillers.
Do not take painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen without consulting your doctor. These medications can suppress fever. Fever is the first sign of an infection, so it can be dangerous if left untreated.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. This medicine can seriously harm an unborn baby. Also, do not breastfeed while taking this medicine. In men, this medicine can also lower sperm count. If you are planning to have a child, talk to your doctor before starting treatment.
Side effects of the medicine
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some of them should be reported immediately. Some are not so serious. Let's look at them in an easy-to-understand way.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Symptoms of low blood cell count | Symptoms of infection: fever, chills, cough, sore throat. Signs of bleeding: bruising, red spots on the skin, black stools. Symptoms of anemia: extreme fatigue, fainting, blue eyes. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Reactions to vaccination | Back pain, facial flushing, and chest tightness while taking the medicine. |
| Other serious symptoms | Mouth sores, pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
| Digestive system problems | Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. |
| Other common features | Hair loss, red urine (this is normal). |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything different, please seek medical advice.
Take-Home Message
- Daunorubicin Liposomal is a powerful drug that is given intravenously by trained professionals in a hospital to treat cancer.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you are taking.
- During treatment, be very careful about signs of infection such as fever and chills, and signs of bleeding such as easy bruising. If you experience any of these, tell your doctor immediately.
- It's normal to feel uncomfortable, but don't stop treatment without your doctor's advice.
- Avoid becoming pregnant and breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
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