Adriamycin 50mg Injection
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Pfizer Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Doxorubicin (Plain) (50mg) |
| Storage | Store in a refrigerator (2 - 8°C). Do not freeze. |
| Chemical Class | Anthracycline Derivative |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI NEOPLASTICS |
| Action Class | Alkaloids-cytotoxic agents |
| User Rating | 4.6 |
| User Reviews | 448 |
FAQ
Is doxorubicin a vesicant?
Yes doxorubicin is a vesicant (irritant).
How does doxorubicin work?
Doxorubicin is anti-cancer or antineoplastic chemotherapy drug that belongs to a class of medications called anthracyclines. It slows down or stops the growth of cancer cells by interfering with DNA of the cancer cells. This helps treat the cancer.
Adriamycin 50mg Injection Reviews
Adriamycin 50mg is used in the treatment of various types of cancers of blood, breast, lung, ovaries and soft tissues. It can be used on its own, or sometimes given together with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy.
It is given as a drip or infusion vein with extreme caution by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. It makes contraceptive pills less effective, so it advised to both male and female to use reliable contraception during the treatment.
The most common side effects of this medicine include vomiting, allergic reaction, nausea, mouth sore, and hair loss. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. It is known to reduce the number of blood cells in your blood thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Infections can sometimes be life-threatening. Regular blood tests are required to monitor your blood cells along with the kidney, liver, and heart function during treatment with this medicine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have severe liver or heart-related problems, or if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works.
It is given as a drip or infusion vein with extreme caution by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. It makes contraceptive pills less effective, so it advised to both male and female to use reliable contraception during the treatment.
The most common side effects of this medicine include vomiting, allergic reaction, nausea, mouth sore, and hair loss. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. It is known to reduce the number of blood cells in your blood thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Infections can sometimes be life-threatening. Regular blood tests are required to monitor your blood cells along with the kidney, liver, and heart function during treatment with this medicine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have severe liver or heart-related problems, or if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works.
How Adriamycin 50mg Injection Works
Adriamycin 50mg is an anti-cancer medication. It works by suppressing the activity of an enzyme (topoisomerase II) involved in DNA multiplication of the cancer cells. It also forms harmful chemicals (free radicals) which cause DNA damage. This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them.
How to Use Adriamycin 50mg Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Benefits of Adriamycin 50mg Injection
- In Cancer: Adriamycin 50mg helps to treat certain kinds of cancer. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat cancer in various parts of the body. Adriamycin 50mg kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Uses of Adriamycin 50mg Injection
- Cancer
Adriamycin 50mg Injection Side Effects
Safety Tips
Driving
UNSAFE
Adriamycin 50mg may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.As there is a frequent occurrence of nausea and vomiting with Adriamycin 50mg so driving should be discouraged.
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Adriamycin 50mg. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Adriamycin 50mg is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Adriamycin 50mg is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Adriamycin 50mg is recommended.However, inform your doctor if you have any kidney disease.
Breast feeding
UNSAFE
Adriamycin 50mg is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Liver
CAUTION
Adriamycin 50mg should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Adriamycin 50mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Quick Tips
- Inform your doctor if you experience fever, chills, shortness of breath and swelling of face or lips.
- Do not skip any dose and complete the course as suggested by your doctor.
- Use an effective method of birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication.
- Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your electrolyte levels, liver function, blood cell count in your blood.
- Adriamycin 50mg is given as an injection into the vein under the supervision of a doctor.
References
- Chabner BA, Bertino J, Cleary J, et al. Cytotoxic Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1714-15.
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 431-33.
- Doxorubicin hydrochloride. Sandwich, Kent: Pfizer Limited; 2009 [revised Feb. 2016].
- Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Breastfeeding and maternal medications. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004;80(5 Suppl):S189-S198.
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- Chu E, Sartorelli AC. Cancer Chemotherapy. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 952.