Anaemia and thrombocytopaenia are common and patients should be encouraged to recognise and report symptoms such as lethargy, headaches, nose bleed and bruising. Red blood cell and platelet transfusions are required to correct these symptoms. Cardiac toxicity.- Daunorubicin can cause cardiomyopathy. This risk increases with repeated dosing. Care is taken to avoid drug overexposure.
Patients receiving daunorubicin have their heart tested prior to treatment.
Advise your doctor if you have any heart disease. Furthermore, any signs of heart failure, which may include shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations or oedema must be promptly reported. This is a common side effect of therapy. Hair will eventually grow back several weeks after completion of treatment. If nausea persists, further medication is offered.