The Doxorubicin is an anthracycline, and part of anticancer drugs .It blocks the growth of cancer cells by binding to DNA.
What is Doxorubicin used for?
Doxorubicin is used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat certain types of bladder , breast , lung , stomach and ovarian cancer , Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and some types of leukemia , including acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.
In addition, it can be used against tumor forms of soft tissue or bone sarcomas, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, uterus, endometrium and cervix cancer , prostate , pancreas , adrenal tumors , the liver , Kaposi’s sarcoma and the Ewing, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
How is Doxorubicin administered?
Doxorubicin is administered intravenously , usually once every 21 or 28 days. The duration of the treatment depends on the other drugs taken, on the response to the therapies and on the type of tumor to be treated.
Side effects of Doxorubicin
Possible adverse effects of Doxorubicin include:
- nausea ;
- He retched;
- sores in the mouth and throat;
- loss of appetite and weight;
- weight gain;
- stomach ache;
- diarrhea ;
- increased thirst;
- tiredness or weakness;
- dizziness ;
- hair loss
- nail problems;
- red, watery, irritated eyes;
- eye pain;
- pain, burning or tingling in the hands or feet;
- reddish urine (for 1 or 2 days after treatment).
It is good to contact a doctor immediately in case of:
- urticaria ;
- skin rash ;
- itching ;
- difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing;
- convulsions.
Warnings on the use of Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin may increase the risk of developing leukemia , especially if administered in high doses or in combination with radiation therapy or with some chemotherapy drugs. It can also interfere with the menstrual cycle or block sperm production.
Before starting a doxorubicin treatment it is important to tell your doctor if:
- of allergies to the active substance, its excipients or other drugs, in particular daunorubicin, idarubicin or all’epirubicina;
- of the medicines, phytotherapy and supplements taken, citing in particular chemotherapy, Fenobarbital and Fenitoina;
- if you suffer (or have suffered) from particular diseases;
- if you are pregnant or breastfeeding .
During treatment, you should not get vaccinated without talking to your doctor first.
