What is this medication for?
Doxorubicin belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medicines known as antineoplastics, and specifically to the family of antineoplastics called anthracyclines.
Doxorubicin is used for the treatment of many types of cancer, including cancers of the blood (e.g., leukemia), bone, breast, ovaries, thyroid, bladder, stomach, and soft tissues (including muscles), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, Wilms' tumor, multiple myeloma, and neuroblastoma. Doxorubicin prevents the growth of cancer cells by interfering with the genetic material DNA, which is necessary for reproduction of cells.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Adriamycin PFS® is is no longer being manufactured for sale in the USA.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended dose of doxorubicin varies widely according to the specific disease being treated, the response to therapy, the other drugs being used, and the body size of the recipient. Doxorubicin is usually injected into a vein through a specially prepared site on your skin. Doses are usually given at three- to four-week intervals. Very careful handling of this medication is required. Doxorubicin is always given under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.
As well as interfering with the genetic material DNA of cancer cells, doxorubicin can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects such as hair loss and mouth sores. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor as suggested in the section "What side effects are possible with this medication?"
Before mixing, this medication should be protected from light and stored at room temperature. After mixing, this medication is stored at room temperature for up to 7 days or in the refrigerator for up to 15 days. The liposomal form of this medication is stored in the refrigerator and should not be allowed to freeze. This medication should be kept out of the reach of children.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications.
It is important that this medication be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive docetaxel, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Doxorubicin should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to doxorubicin or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- has a low neutrophil (a type of white blood cell) count
- has a severe abnormal heart rhythm
- has recently had a heart attack
- has severe liver function impairment
- has severely compromised heart function
- has already been treated with the maximum allowable lifetime dose of any anthracycline drug (daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin) or anthracenes
The liposomal form should not be used by anyone who is allergic to doxorubicin or to any of the ingredients of the medication, or by anyone who is breast-feeding.
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