Doxorubicin (By injection)

dox-oh-ROO-bi-sin

Treats cancer.

Drug classes

Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Doxorubicin injection is used together with other medicines to treat cancer of the blood, lymph system, bladder, breast, stomach, lungs, ovaries, thyroid, nerves, kidneys, bones, and soft tissues, including muscles and tendons. It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.

Doxorubicin belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics. It seems to interfere with the growth of cancer cells, which are then eventually destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by doxorubicin, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with doxorubicin, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, doxorubicin is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)–associated Kaposi’s sarcoma (a type of cancer of the skin and mucous membranes that is more common in patients with AIDS) Cancer of the adrenal cortex (the outside layer of the adrenal gland) Cancer of the cervix Cancer of the endometrium Cancer of the esophagus Cancers of the head and neck Cancer of the liver Cancer of the pancreas Cancer of the prostate Cancer of the thymus (a small organ found under the breast bone) Carcinoid tumors Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a type of cancer of the blood and lymph system) Ewing’s sarcoma (a type of cancer found in the bone) Gestational trophoblastic tumors (tumors in the uterus or womb) Hepatoblastoma (a certain type of liver cancer that occurs in children) Multiple myeloma (a certain type of cancer of the blood) Non–small cell lung cancer (a certain type of lung cancer usually associated with prior smoking, passive smoking, or radon exposure) Retinoblastoma (a type of eye cancer found primarily in children) Tumors in the ovaries

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

The medicine is usually given once every 21 to 28 days.

Do not get the medicine on your skin. If it does, wash the area well with soap and water, and tell your caregiver.

If you feel stinging or burning in your skin where the needle is placed, tell your caregiver right away. Apply ice to the skin for 15 minutes, 4 times each day, to relieve pain or swelling, Do this for 3 days. Tell your doctor if you have blisters, sores, or other skin changes where the needle was placed.

Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some foods and medicines can affect how doxorubicin works. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following:

St John’s wort Mercaptopurine Cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, , trastuzumab Phenobarbital, phenytoin Verapamil

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to doxorubicin, are pregnant, or have had a recent heart attack.

Warnings

This medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose of this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart disease, or blood or bone marrow problems (myelosuppression). Tell your doctor if you have received other cancer medicine or radiation treatment.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Heart damage, including heart failure (may be permanent) Heart rhythm problem Higher risk of new cancers Skin damage near the injection site Tumor lysis syndrome

This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. This medicine may also cause premature menopause.

This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Chest pain

Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, trouble breathing, tiredness

Severe nausea, mouth sores, diarrhea, or uncontrollable vomiting

Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Changes in menstrual periods

Hair loss

Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores

Red urine for 1 to 2 days after treatment

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Adriamycin, Novaplus DOXOrubicin HCl, PremierPro Rx DOXOrubicin HCl

There may be other brand names for this medicine.