An antibiotic/antineoplastic - It is used to treat many kinds of cancer like Hodgkin's disease, leuk... more
FDA Alerts
Extravasation
Severe local tissue necrosis if extravasation occurs. Do not administer IM or sub-Q.
Myocardial Toxicity
Possible cardiotoxicity and potentially fatal CHF during or months to years after therapy; risk of developing CHF increases rapidly with increasing total cumulative dosages >450 mg/m2. Toxicity may occur at lower cumulative dosages whether or not risk factors are present. (See Cardiotoxicity under Cautions.)
Probability of developing impaired myocardial function based on combined index of signs, symptoms, and decline in LVEF is estimated to be 1–2, 3–5, 5–8, or 6–20% at total cumulative dosage of 300, 400, 450, or 500 mg/m2, respectively.
Risk factors (active or dormant cardiovascular disease, doxorubicin exposure at an early or advanced age, prior or concomitant mediastinal/pericardial irradiation, previous therapy with other anthracyclines or anthracenediones, concomitant use of other cardiotoxic agents) may increase risk of cardiotoxicity.
Pediatric patients are at increased risk for developing delayed cardiotoxicity.
Experience with liposomal doxorubicin at high cumulative dosages is too limited to have established effects on the myocardium; assume myocardial toxicity is similar to that of conventional doxorubicin formulations. Administer to patients with history of cardiovascular disease only when benefits outweigh risk.
Secondary Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Possible secondary AML in patients treated with anthracyclines, including doxorubicin; occurrence of refractory secondary leukemia is more common when such drugs are given in combination with other DNA-damaging antineoplastics, after extensive exposure to cytotoxic agents, or when anthracyline dosages have been escalated. (See Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity under Cautions.)
Pediatric patients are at risk of developing secondary AML.
Infusion-related Effects
Infusion-related reactions (e.g., flushing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, headache, chills, back pain, tightness of chest or throat, hypotension) reported in patients receiving liposomal doxorubicin. Reactions generally resolve within several hours to a day once infusion terminated; may resolve in some patients with slowing of infusion rate.
Serious and sometimes life-threatening or fatal allergic/anaphylactoid-like infusion reactions reported; appropriate therapy and emergency equipment should be available for immediate use.
Administer liposomal doxorubicin at initial rate of 1 mg/minute to minimize risk of infusion reactions.
Myelosuppression
Severe myelosuppression may occur. (See Hematologic Effects under Cautions.)
Hepatic Impairment
Reduce dosage in patients with hepatic impairment. (See Special Populations under Dosage and Administration and also see Hepatic Impairment under Cautions.)
Accidental Substitution
Accidental substitution of liposomal doxorubicin for conventional doxorubicin has resulted in severe adverse effects; do not substitute for conventional doxorubicin on a mg-per-mg basis.
Experience of Supervising Clinician
Administer only under the supervision of qualified clinician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
DOXORUBICIN is a chemotherapy drug. It is used to treat many kinds of cancer like Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, neuroblastoma, sarcoma, and Wilms' tumor. It is also used to treat bladder cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, and thyroid cancer.
This medicine may be used for other purposes;
ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
blood disorders
heart disease, recent heart attack
infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)
irregular heartbeat
liver disease
recent or ongoing radiation therapy
an unusual or allergic reaction to doxorubicin, other chemotherapy agents, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
This drug is given as an infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained health care professional. If you have pain, swelling, burning or any unusual feeling around the site of your injection, tell your health care professional right away.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss your dose.
Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
This list may not describe all possible interactions.
Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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