Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to destroy or damage fast-growing cells like cancer cells. It is used to shrink tumors, slow cancer’s growth, relieve symptoms, or help people live longer. Chemotherapy drugs are given in different ways (intravenously, orally by a pill, or by injection).

These are the chemotherapy drugs that are used most often to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). New treatments become available all the time, so this may not be a complete list.

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. It's important to discuss all potential side effects of a drug with your healthcare team. Be sure to tell your healthcare team about any side effects you do have.

All Available Treatments

Intravenous =
Pill =

Treatment Type

Anthracycline

Drug Names
Cerubidine® (daunorubicin) (IV)
Daunomycin® (IV)
Idamycin® (idarubicin) (IV)
Idamycin PFS® (IV)
Novantrone® (mitoxantrone) (IV)
Rubidomycin® (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Heart problems
Potential Side Effects
Adverse drug reaction Diarrhea Fertility issues Hair thinning/loss Joint pain/stiffness Low blood counts Mouth/throat changes Muscle pain Nausea/vomiting Skin/nail changes
Important Things to Know
  • Used for a wide range of cancer types.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.
  • You may experience temporary discoloration of body fluids for a few days after receiving a dose.
  • Pain may occur at the site after injection.

Treatment Type

Anthracycline and Antimetabolite

Drug Name
Vyxeos® (liposomal daunorubicin and cytarabine) (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Heart problems
Potential Side Effects
Constipation Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Joint pain/stiffness Mouth/throat changes Muscle pain Nausea/vomiting
Important Things to Know
  • Before having any type of surgery, including dental, notify the doctor/dentist that you are receiving this treatment.
  • This can cause infertility in men and may harm a fetus. You should not breastfeed.

Treatment Type

Corticosteroid

Drug Names
Decadron® (dexamethasone) (Pill,IV)
Deltasone® (Pill,IV)
DexPak® (Pill,IV)
Rayos® (prednisone) (Pill,IV)
Potential Side Effects
Blood sugar changes Headache Weight/appetite changes
Important Things to Know
  • Prescribed to help with swelling, fatigue, and appetite.
  • Taking these medications could cause an increased risk of infection, anxiety, and weakening of bones. 

Treatment Type

Antimetabolite - Miscellaneous

Drug Names
Droxia® (Pill)
Hydrea® (hydroxyurea) (Pill)
Mylocel® (Pill)
Tabloid® (thioguanine) (Pill)
Potential Side Effects
Constipation Diarrhea Low blood counts Mouth/throat changes Nausea/vomiting Skin/nail changes Weight/appetite changes
Important Things to Know
  • May result in serious skin problems or raise the chance of getting cancer if taken for prolonged periods of time.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.

Treatment Type

Antimetabolite - Pyrimidine Analog

Drug Names
ara-C® (IV)
Cytosar-U® (cytarabine) (IV)
Potential Side Effects
Diarrhea Headache Joint pain/stiffness Low blood counts Mouth/throat changes Muscle pain Nausea/vomiting
Important Things to Know
  • Cerebellar toxicity is a potential side effect that can occur from taking high doses of this treatment. It can present with serious medical issues including difficulty with coordination, slurred speech, and/or balance issues. Your care team may perform tests prior to beginning this medication.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.

Treatment Type

Antimetabolite - Purine Analog

Drug Names
Fludara® (fludarabine) (IV)
Leustatin® (cladribine) (IV)
Potential Side Effects
Fatigue/weakness Headache Low blood counts Joint pain/stiffness Mouth/throat changes Muscle pain Nausea/vomiting Skin/nail changes Weight/appetite changes
Important Things to Know
  • This drug could lower the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.

Treatment Type

Antimetabolite - Hypomethylating Agent

Drug Names
Dacogen® (decitabine) (Pill,IV)
Vidaza® (azacitidine) (Pill,IV)
Potential Side Effects
Adverse drug reaction Constipation Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Joint pain/stiffness Low blood counts Muscle pain Nausea/vomiting
Important Things to Know
  • This treatment may affect fertility. Use birth control if you become pregnant while on this drug.
  • Speak to your doctor before receiving any vaccines.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.
  • Pain may occur at the site after injection. 

Treatment Type

Antimetabolite - Folic Acid Analog

Drug Names
Rheumatrex® (methotrexate) (Pill,IV)
Trexall® (Pill,IV)
Xatmep® (Pill,IV)
Potential Side Effects
Diarrhea Fatigue/weakness Low blood counts Weight/appetite changes
Important Things to Know
  • This drug could cause serious skin reactions and decrease the activity of the immune system, leading to increased infections.
  • For its indication in cancer, patients could take a higher dose for a shorter amount of time than in other conditions (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis).
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.

Treatment Type

Plant alkaloids

Drug Names
Etopophos® (Pill,IV)
Toposar® (etoposide) (Pill,IV)
VePesid® (Pill,IV)
Potential Side Effects
Blood pressure changes Fertility issues Low blood counts Menopausal symptoms Nausea/vomiting
Important Things to Know
  • This treatment may increase risk of infections due to decreased amount of white blood cells in the blood and cause birth defects.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.