Index
What is it and what is it for.
Doxorubicin is a chemotherapy anthracycline that is used alone or with other medications to treat several types of cancer. This medicine slows or stops the growth of cancer cells.
Mechanism of action
- The pegylated liposomal coating allows Doxorubicin to prevent detection and destruction by the immune system and, as a result, increase the time of blood circulation.
- The half-life of approximately 55 hours.
- It stays stable in the blood.
- 90% or more of the drug remains encapsulated within the liposome during circulation.
Doxorubicin has a small steady state and, therefore, is mainly limited to vascular fluid. - The clinical significance of clinical pharmacology data has not been determined.
How to administer doxorubicin intravenously?
This medicine is given by injection into the vein by a health professional. The dosage will depend on your medical condition, body constitution and how the patient responds to treatment.
If the medicine enters your skin, you should wash your skin immediately and completely with soap and water. If it gets in the eyes, wash with plenty of water for 15 minutes.
Health professionals should take precautions (for example, wearing gloves) to avoid contact with the patient’s urine or other body fluid for at least 5 days after treatment.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, drink plenty of cold liquids during treatment with this medication. This helps move the drug quickly through your body and helps reduce some of the side effects.
What are the secondary effects?
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Vomiting and nausea can be intense. In some cases, pharmacological treatment prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting. Not eating before your treatment can help relieve vomiting.
Changes in diet and lifestyle, such as eating several small meals or limiting their actions, helping to diminish some of these effects. If these persist or worsen, report this to your doctor or pharmacist.
Doxorubicin can give a reddish color to urine, tears and sweat. This effect may begin in the first hours after treatment and may last up to several days. This is a normal effect of the medication and should not be confused with blood in the urine.
Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after the treatment is finished.
Nail changes (including fungal infections of the nails) can rarely occur.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit outweighs the risk of side effects. Most patients who use this medication do not have serious side effects.
Your precautions
Before using doxorubicin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; to lincomycin; or if you have any other reaction. This product contains ingredients that can cause reactions in some patients.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially about: a current infection, low blood cell count, gout, heart problems (for example, recent myocardial infarction, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, kidney problems, disease) hepatic, ulcers in the mouth (stomatitis), treatment with radiation (especially to the chest area), etc.
