Five chemotherapy drugs approved by the FDA can be classified as anthracyclines.

Daunorubicin

Brand/Trade Names: Cerubidine, DaunoXome

Formula: C₂₇H₂₉NO₁₀

Manufacturers: Lunan Pharmaceutical, Tecoland Corporation, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Neon Laboratories Ltd

Class: Antibiotic (Anthracycline)

Administration: Intravenous

Notes:  Approved by the FDA in 1979.  Used for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.

Doxorubicin

Brand/Trade Names: Adriamycin, Rubex, Doxil

Formula: C₂₇H₂₉NO₁₁

Manufacturers: Adorkem Technology S.p.A., Aspen Biopharma Labs Pvt Ltd, Boryung Pharmaceutical Co., ChemWerth Inc

Class: Antibiotic (Anthracycline)

Administration: Intravenous

Notes:  Called “the red devil” due to its bright red color and severe side effects.  Approved by the FDA in 1974.  Used for treatment of lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, stomach cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neuroblastoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, soft tissue and bone sarcomas, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, and Wilms tumor.

Epirubicin

Brand/Trade Names: Ellence, Pharmorubicin

Formula: C₂₇H₂₉NO₁₁

Manufacturers: Brawn Laboratories Ltd, Concord Biotech, DKSH, DZD Heze Pharmaceutical Co Ltd

Class: Antibiotic (Anthracycline)

Administration: Intravenous

Notes:  Approved by the FDA in 1999.  Used for treatment of breast cancer.

Idarubicin

Brand/Trade Names: Idamycin

Formula: C₂₆H₂₈ClNO₉

Manufacturers: Jiwan Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Olon Spa, Pfizer, Sterling Biotech Limited

Class: Antibiotic (Anthracycline)

Administration: Intravenous

Notes:  Approved by the FDA in 1990.  Used for treatment of lymphoblastic and myelogenous leukemia, and for myelodysplastic syndromes.

Valrubicin

Brand/Trade Names: Valstar

Formula: C₃₄H₃₆F₃NO₁₃

Manufacturers: DZD Heze Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Jiwan Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Synbias Pharma Limited Liability Company, Teva API

Class: Antibiotic (Anthracycline)

Administration: Intravenous

Notes:  Approved by the FDA in 1998.  Used for treatment of bladder cancer.