Epithra 50 Injection
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Epirubicin (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 | 4.3 |
| User Reviews | 477 |
FAQ
How effective is Epithra 50?
Epithra 50 is effective in the treatment of various cancers including cancer of the breast, ovary, stomach, lung, bowel or rectum, malignant lymphomas (a type of blood cancer of infection-fighting cells of the blood) such as Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia (blood cancer), multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer of infection-fighting cells of the blood). It may be used in bladder cancers and to prevent reoccurrence of bladder cancer after surgery. It effectively slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in the body.
Is Epithra 50 a vesicant (agent that causes tissue blistering and damage)?
Yes, Epithra 50 is a vesicant; it may cause tissue blistering if it leaks out of the vein.
Epithra 50 Injection Reviews
Epithra 50 is used in the treatment of various types of cancers of blood, breast, stomach, lung, ovaries and soft tissues. It also helps to prevent the recurrence of bladder cancer after surgery.
It is given as a drip or infusion vein with extreme caution by a qualified medical professional. It can be used alone, or sometimes given together with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy. 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 nausea, low blood platelets, hair loss, absence of menstrual periods, fever and rash. 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 kidney, liver and heart function during treatment with this medicine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or have heart problem. 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. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is given as a drip or infusion vein with extreme caution by a qualified medical professional. It can be used alone, or sometimes given together with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy. 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 nausea, low blood platelets, hair loss, absence of menstrual periods, fever and rash. 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 kidney, liver and heart function during treatment with this medicine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or have heart problem. 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. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Epithra 50 Injection Works
Epithra 50 is an anti-cancer medication. It works by suppressing the activity of an enzyme (topoisomerase II) involved in DNA multiplication of the breast cancer cells. It also forms harmful chemicals (free radicals) which cause DNA damage. This slows the growth of breast cancer cells and eventually kills them.
How to Use Epithra 50 Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Benefits of Epithra 50 Injection
- In Cancer: Epithra 50 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. Epithra 50 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 Epithra 50 Injection
- Cancer
Epithra 50 Injection Side Effects
Safety Tips
Liver
CAUTION
Epithra 50 should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Epithra 50 may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Epithra 50 is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Epithra 50 is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Epithra 50 may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.Lower doses may be considered in patients with serum creatinine > 5 mg/dL.
Breast feeding
UNSAFE
Epithra 50 is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Epithra 50 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.
Driving
UNSAFE
Epithra 50 may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.Epithra 50 may cause episodes of nausea and vomiting, which can temporarily lead to an impairment of the ability to drive.
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Epithra 50.
Quick Tips
- Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping treatment.
- It is given through a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) by a doctor or nurse.
- Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your blood cells, liver, and heart function during treatment with this medicine.
- It may make you feel tired or sleepy. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
- Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat or rash.
- Epithra 50 is used alone or in combination with other medicines for the treatment of various types of cancers.
References
- Epirubicin hydrochloride. Wedel, Germany: Medac GmbH; 2008 [revised Jun. 2016].
- 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. 478-79.
- 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. p. 1715.
- 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.