Idarubicin is an intercalating analogue of daunorubicin, which inhibits nucleic acid synthesis and interacts with the enzyme topoisomerase.

Acute myeloid leukemia in combination with other antileukemic drugs.

Excreted mainly in the bile and urine. Half-life: 6.0 to 9.4 hours.

♦ Adult: For induction therapy in acute myeloid leukemia, 12 mg/m² daily for 3 days IV with cytarabine 100 mg/m² daily by continuous infusion for 7 days, or
with cytarabine 25 mg/m² by IV bolus followed by cytarabine 200 mg/m² daily for 5 days as continuous infusion. A repeat course may be given to patients with unequivocal evidence of leukemia. Reduce the dose to 25% lower than the normal dose if severe mucositis occurs. Dosage should be modified in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.