What is Doxorubicin?
Doxorubicin is used to treat cancers of the ovary, prostate, liver, and thyroid; small cell lung cancer; squamous cell cancer of the head and neck; multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas, acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML); and multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas and acute lymphoid (AML). The medication is available under the brand name called: Adriamycin, Caelyx and Rubex.
Doxorubicin uses
Doxorubicin is an anthracycline type of chemotherapy that is used for treating various types of cancer. The medication works by slowing and stopping the growth of cancer cells. Doxorubicin injection is used to treat cancer of the blood, lymphatic system, bladder, breast, stomach, lungs, ovaries, thyroid, nerves, kidneys, bones, and soft tissues, including muscles and tendons, along with other medicines. It can also be used to treat other forms of cancer, depending on the doctor's recommendation. Doxorubicin is in a category of medicines referred to as antineoplastics. Other side effects can occur because doxorubicin can affect the growth of normal body cells.
Doxorubicin Side Effects
Most common side effects of Doxorubicin are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sores in the mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Unusual tiredness
- Dizziness
- Hair loss
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- Eye pain
Some of the serious side effects of Doxorubicin are:
- Hives
- Skin rash
- Itching
- Difficulty in breathing
- Seizures
Note that this drug has been prescribed by your doctor and he or she has decided that the value is greater than the risk of side effects. There are no significant side effects for many people who take this drug. Doxorubicin can give your urine, tears, and sweat a reddish colour. This effect may begin within the first hours of treatment and may last for up to a few days. This is a natural drug reaction and should not be confused with blood in your urine.
Precautions
Before using Doxorubicin talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications. The product may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems. Before using Doxorubicin talk with your doctor if you are having any medical history such as Low blood cell counts, anemia, neutropenia, gout, heart problems, Kidney problems, liver treatment and radiation treatment in the chest area.
How to take Doxorubicin?
Doxorubicin comes as a solution or as a powder to be mixed with liquid for intravenous injection by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility (into a vein). It's issued every 21 to 28 days on average. Treatment time is dictated by the medications you are taking, how well the body reacts to them, and the type of cancer you have. A doctor will give this drug by injecting it into a vein. The dosage is dependent on your medical condition, body size, and therapy response.
Dosage of Doxorubicin
Adult and pediatric dosage forms and strengthsInjectable solution: 2 mg/ml
- Adult and pediatric dosage forms and strengths
- Injectable solution: 2 mg/ml
- Power of the injection 10mg, 20 mg, 50mg
- Dosing considerations for Cancer
- Adult:
- - 60-75 mg/m² intravenously (IV) every 21 days OR
- - 60 mg/m² IV every 14 days OR
- - 40-60 mg/m² IV every 21-28 days OR
- - 20 mg/m²/dose once/week
- Pediatric:
- - 35-75 mg/m² intravenously (IV) every 21 days OR
- - 20-30 mg/m²/dose once/week
- - 60-90 mg/m² IV over 96 hours every 3-4 weeks
Missed Dose
It's important to take this drug exactly when it's meant to be taken. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to get a new dosing schedule.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Doxorubicin tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Warnings for some Serious Health Conditions
- The medication should be only used during pregnancy if you are in a LIFE-THREATENING condition and there is no other choice.
- Positive proof of human foetal risk is available
- Doxorubicin passes into breast milk
- Usage during breastfeeding is not recommended
- Tumor lysis syndrome and hyperuricemia are potential side effects.
- Secondary oral cancers, predominantly squamous cell carcinoma, have been linked to long-term use of the medication (i.e., greater than1 year)
- Pediatric patients, seniors, impaired liver function, concomitant radiotherapy
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach. Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Doxorubicin vs Daunorubicin
Doxorubicin |
Daunorubicin |
|---|---|
| Doxorubicin is in a category of medicines referred to as antineoplastics. The growth of cancer cells, which are then gradually killed by the body. | Daunorubicin is in a class of medicines referred to as anthracyclines. It works by slowing or preventing cancer cells from developing in your body. |
| Doxorubicin is an anthracycline type of chemotherapy that is used for treating various types of cancer. The medication works by slowing and stopping the growth of cancer cells. | Daunorubicin is used to treat a particular form of acute myeloid leukaemia with other chemotherapy medications (AML; a type of cancer of the white blood cells). A type of acute lymphocytic leukaemia is treated with daunorubicin in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. |
Most common side effects of Doxorubicin are:
|
Some of the common side effects of Daunorubicin are:
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