What is doxorubicin?
Doxorubicin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Doxorubicin is used to treat different types of cancers that affect the breast, bladder, ovary, thyroid, stomach, lungs, bones, nerve tissues, bones, muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doxorubicin is also used to treat Hodgkin's disease and certain types of leukemia.
Doxorubicin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about doxorubicin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to doxorubicin or similar medications (Cerubidine, Ellence, Idamycin, Novantrone), or if you have an untreated or uncontrolled infection, severe liver disease, severe heart problems, or if you have recently had a heart attack.
Doxorubicin can have serious side effects on your heart. Before you are treated with doxorubicin, tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, congestive heart failure, or heart attack.
Also tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially about any other cancer medications or treatments you have received (including radiation).
Do not use doxorubicin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Doxorubicin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using doxorubicin, or you could develop a serious infection.
Using doxorubicin may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking doxorubicin?
Before you are treated with doxorubicin, tell your doctor about all other cancer medications and treatments you have received, including radiation.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to doxorubicin or similar medications (Cerubidine, Ellence, Idamycin, Novantrone), or if you have:
an untreated or uncontrolled infection (including mouth sores);
severe liver disease;
severe heart problems; or
if you have recently had a heart attack.
To make sure you can safely receive doxorubicin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
liver or kidney disease;
a weak immune system caused by prior cancer treatments;
heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, congestive heart failure; or
if you have ever had a heart attack.
Using doxorubicin may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use doxorubicin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving doxorubicin.
Doxorubicin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using doxorubicin.