Doxorubicin

  • Brand Name : Adriamycin PFS
  • Drug Class : Antineoplastics, Anthracycline
  • Medical Author : Sarfaroj Khan, BHMS, PGD Health Operations
  • Medical Reviewer :
  • _eael_post_view_count : 5

What Is Doxorubicin and How Does It Work?

Doxorubicin is a cytotoxic, anthracycline, topoisomerase II inhibitor indicated as a component of multi-agent adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of women with axillary lymph node involvement following resection of primary breast cancer.

Doxorubicin is also indicated for the treatment of cancers of the ovary, prostate, stomach, and thyroid; small cell cancer of the lung, and liver; squamous cell cancer of the head and neck; multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphomas, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

  • Doxorubicin is available under the following different brand names: Adriamycin, Caelyx, Lipodox, Rubex

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Doxorubicin?

Common side effects of Doxorubicin include:

  • hair loss, 
  • thinning hair, 
  • nausea, 
  • vomiting, 
  • sores in the mouth, 
  • skin darkening on the palms or feet, and 
  • diarrhea

Serious side effects of Doxorubicin include:

  • fast or irregular heartbeat, 
  • shortness of breath, 
  • swelling of the feet and ankles, 
  • cough, 
  • hoarseness
  • fever, 
  • chills, 
  • redness or darkening of the skin, 
  • joint pain, 
  • lower back or side pain, 
  • pain at the injection site, 
  • painful or difficult urination
  • red streaks along the injected vein, 
  • stomach pain, 
  • black or tarry stools, 
  • blood in the urine
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin, 
  • easy bruising, and
  • unusual bleeding

Rare side effects of Doxorubicin include:

  • none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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