Doxorubicin
About
Doxorubicin is an anti-cancer medicine used in the treatment of cancer. Cancer is a disease where the cells grow abnormally and divide uncontrollably. Doxorubicin is primarily used as adjuvant chemotherapy in women with axillary lymph nodes with involvement resection of breast cancer (abnormal growth in the cells of the breast). It is also used to treat neuroblastoma (cancer that starts in nerve cells and primarily affects children) and Wilms' tumor (a form of kidney cancer that affects children).
Doxorubicin contains Doxorubicin, which belongs to the class of anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitors. It inhibits the topoisomerase II enzyme by intercalating the DNA base pairs. This causes double helix DNA to be uncoiled, destroying DNA and RNA synthesis.
Doxorubicin may cause certain side effects such as nausea, headache, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, dizziness, mouth sores, tiredness, back pain, red discoloration of urine, diarrhea, and pain at the site of injection. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor. A trained healthcare doctor will administer Doxorubicin. So, do not self-administer. Your doctor will decide the dose of the medicine based on your health condition.
Doxorubicin should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components of this medicine. It is contraindicated in patients having severe myocardial insufficiency, a recent history of myocardial infarction (MI), severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression, and severe liver disease. Hence, if you have any such conditions, inform your doctor. Inform your doctor if you have any cardiovascular conditions, liver/kidney disease, or taking any CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 inducers medication, as it can cause adverse effects. Doxorubicin is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor beforehand.
Uses of Doxorubicin
Medicinal Benefits
Doxorubicin contains Doxorubicin, which belongs to the class of anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitors. It inhibits the topoisomerase II enzyme by intercalating the DNA base pairs. This causes double helix DNA to be uncoiled, thereby destroying the DNA and RNA synthesis. Doxorubicin is also used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute myeloblastic leukaemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, metastatic breast cancer, metastatic Wilms’ tumour, metastatic neuroblastoma, metastatic soft tissue sarcoma, metastatic bone sarcomas, metastatic ovarian carcinoma, metastatic transitional cell bladder carcinoma, metastatic thyroid carcinoma, metastatic gastric carcinoma, metastatic bronchogenic carcinoma
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Doxorubicin
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Back pain
- Pain at the site of injection
- Red discolouration of urine
- Loss of appetite
- Mouth sores
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Doxorubicin should be avoided if you are allergic to it. It is contraindicated in patients having severe myocardial insufficiency, a recent history of myocardial infarction (MI), severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression and severe liver disease. Hence avoid using this medicine under such conditions. Inform your doctor if you have any cardiovascular conditions, liver/kidney disease, or taking any CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 inducers medication, as it can cause serious adverse effects. Doxorubicin is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence it is contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not stop receiving Doxorubicin without a doctor’s advice, as it can cause serious health conditions. Doxorubicin is known to cause secondary malignancies, tissue necrosis, cardiomyopathy and septic shock in some patients. Hence careful monitoring of the patient is needed while receiving the medicine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Doxorubicin may interact with CYP3A4 inducers (phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampicin), CYP3A4 inhibitors (clarithromycin, voriconazole, cyclosporine, chloramphenicol), CYP2D6 inhibitors (bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine), CYP2D6 inducers (dexamethasone, corticosterone, haloperidol).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have cardiac problems, liver or kidney disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol intake might increase the risk of stomach or intestine bleeding. Alcohol consumption is not recommended.
Pregnancy
unsafeDoxorubicin is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Doxorubicin. Use reliable methods of birth control while on treatment with Doxorubicin.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and harm your infant. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Doxorubicin. Your doctor may suggest you stop feeding while on treatment with this medicine.
Driving
not applicableDoxorubicin does not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionDoxorubicin should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment. However, this medicine is contraindicated in patients with severe liver disease. If you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative, if necessary, based on your condition.
Children
consult your doctorDoxorubicin is used to treat neuroblastoma (cancer that starts in nerve cells and primarily affects children) and Wilms' tumor (a form of kidney cancer that affects children). Your doctor may recommend a suitable dosage based on your child's condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Meditation and yoga have been proven very effective in helping cancer patients maintain a healthy attitude and body.
- Eat more lean meats, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods to give you more energy.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as dehydration is often seen in cancers.
- Taking a stroll in the garden or spending 30 minutes of your time doing some light physical activity can be very useful. However, do not over-exert yourself if you feel too tired.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Avoid intercourse while on treatment with Doxorubicin.
- Regular complete blood count monitoring is advised. Also, monitoring of liver function is important while receiving Doxorubicin.
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According to postmarketing reports, juvenile children receiving doxorubicin hydrochloride are at risk of developing late cardiovascular dysfunction. Risk factors include early age during treatment (particularly five years), large cumulative dosages, and receipt of multimodal modality therapy. All pediatric patients who have received doxorubicin hydrochloride should undergo long-term cardiovascular monitoring.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is a type of cancer with abnormal growth in the cells of the breast. There are different kinds of breast cancer, such as cancer occurring in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), and in the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, breast pain, redness, swelling, nipple discharge other than breast milk, bloody discharge, a lump or swelling under the arm, unexplained change in shape, size or appearance of the breast, peeling, flaking or scaling of the skin.
Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a wide word for cancer that develops in lymph system cells. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are the two most common kinds. Hodgkin lymphoma is frequently curable.
FAQs
Doxorubicin contains Doxorubicin, which belongs to the class of anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitors. It inhibits the topoisomerase II enzyme by intercalating the DNA base pairs. This causes double helix DNA to be uncoiled, thereby destroying the DNA and RNA synthesis.
Doxorubicin can disrupt a woman's natural menstrual cycle (period) and inhibit sperm production in men. However, you should not presume that you cannot become pregnant or that you cannot make someone else pregnant. It may also harm your foetus. Use reliable methods of birth control while on treatment with Doxorubicin.
