Adriamycin – Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
Drug Description
In what conditions is doxorubicin prescribed?
In addition to certain types of leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells), including acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia, doxorubicin is also used to treat certain types of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, and ovarian cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, non-lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (AML, ANLL). Additionally, doxorubicin is used both alone and in conjunction with other drugs to treat specific types of soft tissue or bone sarcomas as well as specific types of thyroid cancer (cancer that forms in muscles and bones). Additionally, it is used to treat Wilms’ tumour and neuroblastoma, a cancer that starts in nerve cells and primarily affects children (a type of kidney cancer that occurs in children). Doxorubicin belongs to the anthracycline drug class. It functions by reducing or halting the development of cancer cells within your body.
How should this medicine be used?
Doxorubicin is available as a liquid solution or as a powder that must be mixed with liquid before being administered intravenously (into a vein) by a physician or nurse in a healthcare setting. Typically, it is administered once every 21 to 28 days. The sort of drugs you are taking, how well your body reacts to them, and the type of cancer you have will all affect how long your treatment will last.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Doxorubicin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- sores in the mouth and throat
- loss of appetite (and weight loss)
- weight gain
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- increased thirst
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- dizziness
- hair loss
- separation of fingernail or toenail from the nail bed
- itchy, red, watery, or irritated eyes
- eye pain
- pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
- red discoloration of urine (for 1 to 2 days after dose)
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- hives
- skin rash
- itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- seizures