FLAG-Ida
FLAG-Ida is used to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). It is sometimes used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
What is FLAG-Ida?
It is best to read this information about FLAG-Ida with our general information about chemotherapy and the type of cancer you have.
It is called FLAG-Ida because of the letters in the names of the drugs used:
- fludarabine (Fludara®)
- cytarabine (Ara C)
- G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor)
- idarubicin (Zavedos ®)
G-CSF is not a chemotherapy drug. It is given to make the chemotherapy drugs work better and to help your body make healthy white blood cells.
Your cancer doctor will talk to you about this treatment and its possible side effects before you agree (consent) to have treatment.
More information about this treatment
This information is correct at time of publishing. But sometimes the types of cancer this treatment is used for, or treatment side effects, may change between revision dates.
You can talk to your cancer team if you want more detailed information about this treatment. Or visit the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website, which has patient information leaflets (PIL) for individual drugs.
How FLAG-Ida is given
You will be given Flag-Ida during a stay in hospital. A chemotherapy nurse will give it to you.
During a course of treatment, you usually see a:
- cancer doctor
- chemotherapy nurse or a specialist nurse
- specialist pharmacist.
This is who we mean when we mention doctor, nurse or pharmacist in this information.
Before or on the day of each treatment, a nurse or person trained to take blood (phlebotomist) will take a blood sample from you. This is to check that it is safe for you to have chemotherapy.
You will speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist before you have chemotherapy. They will talk to you about your blood results and ask how you have been feeling. If your blood results are okay, the pharmacy team will prepare your chemotherapy.
Your nurse usually gives you anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs before the chemotherapy. You may have the chemotherapy through:
- a central line – a fine tube that goes under the skin of your chest and into a vein close by
- a PICC line – a fine tube that is put into a vein in your arm and goes up into a vein in your chest
- an implantable port (portacath) – a disc that is put under the skin on your chest or arm and goes into a vein in your chest.
You have G-CSF as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously).
Your course of chemotherapy
You have FLAG-Ida while you are in hospital. The treatment severely reduces the levels of your blood cells. This makes you more at risk of infection and bleeding. You stay in hospital until your blood cells have recovered. Doctors test your blood regularly to measure the numbers of these cells (blood count).
Some people may be able to go home for a few days straight after they have had all their chemotherapy. This is because your blood count takes a few days to reduce. They come back to hospital when their blood count starts to go down.
You usually have FLAG-Ida over 7 days:
- On days 1 to 7, you have an injection of G-CSF under the skin.
- On days 2 to 6, your nurse gives you fludarabine and cytarabine. They are both given as a drip (infusion).
- On days 4 to 6, your nurse also gives you idarubicin. You have this as an injection through your line with a drip to flush it. Or it can be given as a drip.
After this you stay in hospital until your blood count recovers. This can take 3 to 4 weeks. You may need to start taking daily injections of G-CSF again. This is to help your body make more healthy white blood cells.
Some people may have a second treatment with FLAG-Ida when their blood count has recovered. Your nurse or doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
About side effects
We explain the most common side effects of this treatment here. We also include some that are less common.
You may get some of the side effects we mention, but you are unlikely to get all of them. And you may have some side effects, including rarer ones, that we have not listed here.
Always tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about any side effects you have. They can give you:
- drugs to help control some side effects
- advice about managing side effects.
It is important to take any drugs exactly as explained. This means they will be more likely to work for you.
Serious and life-threatening side effects
Some cancer treatments can cause serious side effects. Sometimes, these may be life-threatening. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can explain the risk of these side effects to you.
Contact the hospital
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will give you 24-hour contact numbers for the hospital. If you feel unwell or need advice, you can call at any time of the day or night. Save these numbers in your phone or keep them somewhere safe.
Side effects while treatment is being given
Allergic reaction
Some people have an allergic reaction while having this treatment. Signs of a reaction can include:
- feeling hot or flushed
- shivering
- itching
- a skin rash
- feeling dizzy or sick
- a headache
- feeling breathless or wheezy
- swelling of your face or mouth
- pain in your back, tummy or chest.
Your nurse will check you for signs of a reaction during your treatment. If you feel unwell or have any of these signs, tell them straight away. If you do have a reaction, they can treat it quickly.
Sometimes a reaction happens a few hours after treatment. If you develop any of these signs or feel unwell after you get home, contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number.
Always call 999 if swelling happens suddenly or you are struggling to breathe.
Pain along the vein
Idarubicin and cytarabine can cause pain at the place where the drip (infusion) is given or along the vein. If you feel pain, tell your nurse or doctor straight away so that they can check the site. They may give the drug more slowly or flush it through with more fluid to reduce pain.
The drug leaks outside the vein
Sometimes cancer drugs that are given into a vein may leak outside the vein. If this happens, some drugs can damage the tissue near the vein. This is called extravasation. Extravasation is not common, but it is important that it is dealt with quickly. If you have any of the following symptoms around the vein during or after your treatment, tell your nurse straight away:
- stinging
- pain
- swelling
- if you have white skin, the area may become red
- if you have black or brown skin, the area may become darker.
Common side effects
Risk of infection
This treatment can reduce the number of white blood cells in your blood. These cells fight infection. If your white blood cell count is low, you may be more likely to get an infection. A low white blood cell count is called neutropenia.
An infection can be very serious when the number of white blood cells is low. It is important to get any infection treated as soon as possible. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number:
- a temperature above 37.5°C
- a temperature below 36°C
- you feel unwell, even with a normal temperature
- you have symptoms of an infection.
Symptoms of an infection include:
- feeling shivery and shaking
- a sore throat
- a cough
- breathlessness
- diarrhoea
- needing to pass urine (pee) often, or discomfort when you pass urine.
It is important to follow any specific advice your cancer treatment team gives you.
Your white blood cell count will usually return to normal before your next treatment. You will have a blood test before having more treatment. If your white blood cell count is low, your doctor may delay your treatment for a short time, until your cell count increases.
You may be given a drug called G-CSF. This encourages the body to make more white blood cells. You have it as a small injection under the skin.
Risk of infection
This treatment can reduce the number of white blood cells in your blood. These cells fight infection. If the number of white blood cells is low, you are more likely to get an infection. A low white blood cell count is called neutropenia.
Your doctor may give you antibiotics and other drugs to try to stop you getting an infection. These are called prophylactic medicines.
If you have an infection, it is important to treat it as soon as possible. If you are not in hospital, contact them straight away on the 24-hour contact number you have if:
- your temperature goes over 37.5°C (99.5°F)
- you suddenly feel unwell, even with a normal temperature
- you have symptoms of an infection.
Symptoms of an infection include:
- feeling shivery
- a sore throat
- a cough
- diarrhoea
- needing to pass urine more often.
It is important to follow any specific advice your cancer treatment team gives you.
You will have regular blood tests during and after your treatment. The number of white blood cells will usually return to normal before your next treatment. You may have ongoing daily injections of G-CSF to help your body to make more white blood cells.
Bruising and bleeding
This treatment can reduce the number of platelets in your blood. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot.
If the number of platelets is low, you may bruise or bleed easily. You may have:
- nosebleeds
- bleeding gums
- heavy periods
- blood in your urine (pee) or stools (poo)
- tiny red, brown or purple spots that may look like a rash – these spots can be harder to see if you have black or brown skin.
If you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding, contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number. You may need a drip to give you extra platelets. This is called a platelet transfusion.
Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)
This treatment can reduce the number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. If the number of red blood cells is low, this is called anaemia. You may feel:
- very low in energy
- breathless
- dizzy and light-headed.
If you have these symptoms, contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number. You may need treatment for anaemia. If you are very anaemic, you may need a drip to give you extra red blood cells. This is called a blood transfusion.
Feeling sick
The nurses will give you anti-sickness drugs regularly. This will help prevent or control sickness during your treatment in hospital. If you feel sick or are sick (vomit), tell your nurse or doctor straight away. They can change the anti-sickness treatment. Or they might change the way you have it to something that works better for you.
Sore mouth and throat
This treatment may cause a sore mouth and throat. You may also get mouth ulcers. This can make you more likely to get a mouth or throat infection. Use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth or dentures in the morning, at night and after meals.
If your mouth or throat is sore:
- tell your nurse or doctor – they can give you a mouthwash or medicines to help
- try to drink plenty of fluids
- avoid alcohol, tobacco and foods that irritate your mouth and throat.
Sucking ice chips may sometimes help relieve mouth or throat pain.
Diarrhoea
Feeling tired (fatigue)
This treatment can make you feel very tired and you will need a lot of rest. You may get tired easily for some months after treatment ends. Gentle exercise, like short walks, can help you feel less tired. The tiredness will slowly get better.
If you feel sleepy, do not drive or use machinery.
Tummy pain and bleeding from the bowel
This treatment can irritate the lining of the stomach. This may cause a stomach ulcer. Tell your doctor if you have pain in your tummy or if you have indigestion. Your doctor may prescribe drugs to help reduce stomach irritation.
This treatment may also cause bleeding from the bowel. Tell your doctor straight away if you notice blood when you have a bowel movement or if your stool is darker.
Eye problems
This treatment may make your eyes feel sore, red and itchy (conjunctivitis). Your doctor will prescribe eye drops to help prevent this. It is important to use these as you are told to.
This treatment may also make your eyes more sensitive to light and cause blurry vision. If you have pain or notice any change in your vision, always tell your doctor or nurse. It is important not to drive or operate machinery if your vision is affected.
Hair loss
Most people will lose all the hair from their head. This usually starts happening about 10 to 14 days into your first FLAG-Ida treatment. You may also lose your eyelashes, eyebrows or other body hair. Your hair will usually grow back after treatment ends.
Your nurse can talk to you about ways to cope with hair loss. There are ways to cover up hair loss if you want to. It is important to cover your head to protect your scalp when you are out in the sun.
Pink or red-coloured urine
Your urine may be a pink-red colour for up to 48 hours after you have had your treatment. This is normal after this treatment. It is because of the colour of this drug.
Headaches
This treatment may cause headaches. If you have headaches, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. They can give you advice about painkillers that may help. Tell them if the headache does not get better, or gets worse.
Bone pain
G-CSF may cause discomfort or a dull ache in the bones of your pelvis, back, arms or legs. Your doctor can prescribe pain relief if needed.
Less common side effects
Effects on the heart
This treatment can affect how the heart works. You may have tests to check how well your heart is working. These may be done before, during and after treatment.
If the treatment is causing heart problems, your doctor may change the type of treatment you are having.
Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms during or after treatment:
- breathlessness
- dizziness
- changes to your heartbeat (palpitations)
- swollen feet and ankles.
Other conditions can cause these symptoms, but it is important to get them checked by a doctor.
Always call 999 if you have:
- chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest
- difficulty breathing.
Skin changes
This treatment may affect your skin. It can cause a rash, which may be itchy. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what to expect. If your skin feels dry, try using an unperfumed moisturising cream every day.
Sometimes your skin colour may change slightly during treatment. People with lighter skin may notice their skin looks more tanned. People with darker skin may develop patches of lighter skin.
Your skin may also be more sensitive in the sun. This means that your skin may burn more easily. Cover up with clothing and a hat. If you are out in the sun, use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect your skin. If you have had radiotherapy (either recently or in the past), the area that was treated may become red or sore.
Always tell your doctor or nurse about any skin changes. They can give you advice and may give you creams or medicines to help. Any changes to your skin are usually temporary and improve when treatment finishes.
Effects on the nervous system
Fludarabine and cytarabine can affect the nervous system. You may:
- feel anxious or restless
- have problems sleeping
- experience mood changes
- feel drowsy or confused.
Rarely, fludarabine and cytarabine can cause seizures (fits).
Tell your doctor or nurse straight away if you notice any of these symptoms.
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS)
Some people are at risk of developing a condition called tumour lysis syndrome (TLS). The risk is highest at the beginning of treatment. TLS happens when treatment makes large numbers of cancer cells die and break down quickly. This releases lots of waste products into the blood and can affect the kidneys and heart.
TLS can be prevented or treated. You will have regular blood tests to check for TLS. You may have:
- extra fluids through a drip
- medicines such as allopurinol tablets or rasburicase through a drip.
Drinking at least 2 litres (3½ pints) of fluid a day will also help.
Effects on the liver
This treatment can change the way your liver works. This usually goes back to normal after treatment finishes. Rarely, the drug may cause your skin and the whites of your eyes to turn yellow. This is called jaundice. You will have regular blood tests to check how well your liver is working.
Other information
Blood transfusions after FLAG-Ida
If you need a blood transfusion after this treatment, any blood or platelets you are given should first be treated with radiation (irradiated). This lowers the risk of the donated blood cells reacting against your own. It will not damage the blood or make you radioactive.
Your doctor will record in your medical notes that you should only be given irradiated blood products. They will also give you a card to carry in case you need treatment at another hospital. Keep this card with you at all times. You should always remind your hospital team that any blood or platelets you need must be irradiated.
Blood clot risk
Cancer and some cancer treatments can increase the risk of a blood clot. Contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour number if you have any of these symptoms during or after treatment:
- throbbing pain or swelling in a leg or arm
- reddening of the skin in the area – if you have black or brown skin, this can be harder to notice, but the skin might become darker
- suddenly feeling breathless or coughing.
Always call 999 if you have:
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing.
A blood clot is serious, but it can be treated with drugs called anticoagulants. These thin the blood. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can give you more information about preventing and treating blood clots.
Vaccinations
Doctors usually recommend that people with cancer have vaccinations for flu and for coronavirus (covid). These help reduce your risk of serious illness from these infections. Most people can have these vaccines, including people with weak immune systems.
If your immune system is weak, you should not have live vaccinations. Live vaccines can make you unwell because they contain a very weak version of the illness they will protect you against. Live vaccines include Zostavax®, which is a shingles vaccine, and the yellow fever vaccine.
It is important to ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice about having vaccinations. They can explain what vaccines are right for you and when it is best to have them.
Other medicines
Some medicines can affect how this treatment works or be harmful while you are having it. Always tell your cancer doctor, nurse or pharmacist about any drugs you are taking or planning to take, such as:
- medicines you have been prescribed
- medicines you buy in a shop, pharmacy or online
- vitamins or supplements
- herbal drugs and complementary or homeopathic therapies
- recreational drugs – for example, cannabis.
Fertility
Some cancer drugs can affect whether you can get pregnant or make someone pregnant. If you are worried about this, it is important to talk with your doctor before you start treatment.
Contraception
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will advise you not to get pregnant or make someone pregnant while having this treatment and for some time afterwards. The drugs may harm a developing baby. It is important to use contraception to prevent pregnancy. Follow their advice about:
- what types of contraception to use
- how long after treatment you should continue to use contraception.
Sex
It is possible that small amounts of chemotherapy may be passed on through vaginal fluids or semen. If you have sex during this treatment, your cancer team will usually advise using condoms or a dental dam to protect your partner.
Breastfeeding
You are advised not to breastfeed while having this treatment, or for some time after treatment ends. This is because the drugs could be passed to the baby through breast milk.
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can give you more information.
Medical and dental treatment
If you need medical treatment for any reason other than cancer, always tell the healthcare professional that you are having cancer treatment. Give them the contact details for your cancer doctor or cancer team so they can ask for advice.
If you have appointments with a dentist, always tell them you are having cancer treatment. Talk to your cancer team before you have any dental treatment.
About our information
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References
Visit the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) to download a Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for more detailed information. The leaflet lists all known side effects.
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert health professionals and people living with cancer.
Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.
The language we use
We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.
We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:
- use plain English
- explain medical words
- use short sentences
- use illustrations to explain text
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We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.
You can read more about how we produce our information here.
Date reviewed
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This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.