Daunorubicin

Chemical name: Daunorubicin

Brand names: Cerubidine, DaunoXome

Class: Anthracycline chemotherapy. Adriamycin, Doxil, Ellence, and mitoxantrone are other anthracyclines.

How it works: Anthracyclines kill cancer cells by damaging their genes and interfering with their reproduction.

Uses: Daunorubicin usually is given in combination with other chemotherapy medicines. It's typically used:

• after surgery and other treatments to reduce the risk of early-stage breast cancer coming back
• before surgery to shrink large advanced-stage breast cancer tumors
• to treat advanced-stage breast cancer

How it's given: Daunorubicin is given intravenously.

Side effects:

• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• difficulty swallowing
• hair changes
• skin sensitivity
• rash
• nail changes
• irregular periods -- this can include temporary cessation (usually resume after medication is completed) or permanent cessation of menstrual periods depending on your age and other factors