It is an analog of daunorubicin, but the absence of a methoxy group increases its fat solubility and cellular uptake.

[3] It belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.

It is currently combined with cytosine arabinoside as a first line treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

[5] It is distributed under the trade names Zavedos (UK) and Idamycin (USA).

Diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting are common among patients treated with idarubicin.