Doxorubicin

• Doxorubicin in the management of various types of cancers, including acute and chronic leukaemia, lymphomas, soft tissue sarcomas, breast and lung cancer.

When should one not use Doxorubicin

• If you have severe heart muscle weakness or certain serious heart conditions.
• If you have severe, persistent bone marrow suppression.
• If you have severe liver impairment.
• If you have a known severe allergic reaction to doxorubicin.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tiredness, weakness
• Red-coloured urine
• Mouth pain or sores, loss of appetite, loose motions
• Low blood cell counts on routine blood tests
• Watch for and report extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or swelling of the feet and ankles, as these can be symptoms of heart failure.
• Serious infection due to low blood counts
• Extravasation (leakage of the medicine outside the vein), which can cause burning, stinging, redness, swelling, blistering, and tissue damage
• Severe allergic reaction
• Few patients can develop secondary cancers after treatment with Doxorubicin.

Other General Warnings

• You have any history of heart disease, or have had radiotherapy to the chest.
• You have received other chemotherapy medicines known to affect the heart.
• You notice unusual bruising, bleeding, or infection.
• You have any existing liver disease
• You have previously received substantial cumulative doses of anthracyclines or other medicines that can damage the heart.
• You develop symptoms of heart failure during or after treatment, as doxorubicin-related heart damage can occur during treatment or later.
• Report any burning, stinging, or unusual sensation at the injection site immediately to your doctor.
• Watch for signs of heart problems like tiredness, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, or swelling of the feet and ankles and tell your doctor promptly.
• It can cause temporary or permanent effects on fertility in both men and women.
• Contact your doctor if you develop a fever or chills, as low blood counts increase infection risk.
• Red-coloured urine for a day or two after your infusion is normal and not a cause for concern.
• Attend all scheduled heart monitoring and blood tests as your doctor recommends.
• Avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel unusually tired or unwell after treatment.
• Keep the medicine out of the reach of children and pets
• Doxorubicin is a hazardous medicine and should be handled and disposed of safely by healthcare professionals according to appropriate hazardous-drug procedures.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Trastuzumab: Taking it with Doxorubicin may increase the risk of serious heart problems. Your doctor will decide if they can be used together.
• Some medicines that affect liver enzymes or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) may change the amount of doxorubicin in your body and increase side effects or reduce its effectiveness.
• Paclitaxel: If both medicines are part of your treatment, Doxorubicin is generally given before paclitaxel, as giving paclitaxel first may increase doxorubicin levels.
• Dexrazoxane: This medicine may help protect the heart in some patients receiving doxorubicin, but your doctor will decide when it should be used.
• Some medicines, such as 6-mercaptopurine, may increase the risk of liver problems when used with doxorubicin.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you take.

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose