doxorubicin - injection, Adriamycin, Rubex

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GENERIC NAME: DOXORUBICIN - INJECTION (dox-oh-REW-beh-sin)

BRAND NAME(S): Adriamycin, Rubex

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: This medication must be given slowly into a vein only. It is very important not to inject this medication into a muscle or beneath the skin. If this medication accidentally leaks into surrounding tissue, the skin/muscle may be severely damaged. Notify your doctor immediately if redness, blistering, sores, pain, or swelling occur at or near the injection site.

Doxorubicin may cause heart problems, including possibly fatal heart failure. Heart problems may occur during doxorubicin therapy or months to years after receiving this medication. Your risk of developing heart problems depends on your dose, medical history (including previous heart disease, radiation therapy in the chest area), and previous use of this and other drugs (including daunorubicin and cyclophosphamide). Children are at higher risk and should be monitored later in life for delayed heart problems. See also Side Effects section.

Very rarely, people with cancer who are treated with this type of medication have developed other cancers (e.g., secondary leukemia). The risk is greater if you are over age 50 or have received certain types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Consult your doctor for more details.

This medication may cause certain severe blood disorders (bone marrow suppression leading to low red blood cells/white blood cells /platelets). This can lower your body's ability to fight infection and stop bleeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat), unusual tiredness, or easy bleeding/bruising.

Tell your doctor if you have liver problems because your dose may need to be decreased.

Your doctor will closely monitor you while you are being treated with this medication.

Different types of this medication work in different ways. Do not switch types of this medication without your doctor's permission.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.