Doxorubicin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Doxorubicin is used to treat different types of cancers that affect the breast, bladder, ovary, thyroid, stomach, lungs, bones, nerve tissues, muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doxorubicin is also used to treat Hodgkin's disease and certain types of leukemia.
Doxorubicin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you have an untreated or uncontrolled infection, severe liver disease, severe heart problems, or if you have recently had a heart attack.
Doxorubicin may cause dangerous effects on your heart. Call your doctor at once if you have chest pain, shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, or rapid weight gain.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when doxorubicin is injected. Call your doctor if you have irritation or skin changes where the injection was given.
Doxorubicin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).
Using doxorubicin may increase your risk of developing a bone marrow disease or other types of cancer, such as leukemia.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to doxorubicin or similar medications (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone), or if you have:
To make sure doxorubicin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
Tell your doctor about all other cancer medicines or radiation treatments you have received in the past.
Using doxorubicin may increase your risk of developing a bone marrow disease or other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use doxorubicin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Doxorubicin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using doxorubicin.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, or have a headache, chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
Doxorubicin may cause your urine to turn a reddish-orange color. This side effect by itself is usually not harmful. However, call your doctor if you also have upper stomach pain, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes).
Common side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.
This medicine can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal fluid). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Patients and caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.
Body fluids should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Use condoms during sexual activity to avoid exposure to body fluids.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using doxorubicin, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with doxorubicin, especially:
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with doxorubicin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Doxorubicin is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Doxorubicin is sometimes given together with other cancer medications. You may be given other medications to prevent nausea, vomiting, or infections.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when doxorubicin is injected.
If any of this medication accidentally gets on your skin, wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Doxorubicin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your doxorubicin injection.
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Latest Update: 3/18/2015, Version: 7.03
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