Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection

Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection

This page contains brief details about the drug doxorubicin, it’s indication, dosage & administaration, mechanism of action, related brands with strength, warnings and common side effects.

Mechanism of Action of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection

Doxorubicin works by interfering with the DNA in cancer cells by inserting itself into the DNA strands, which disrupts the normal structure of the DNA. This causes the DNA to break apart, leading to cell death. Additionally, doxorubicin can also cause damage to the membranes surrounding the cell’s nucleus, which further contributes to cell death.

Uses of Doxorubicin Injection

Doxorubicin is used to treat various types of cancer, especially breast cancer, lung cancer, Malignant lymphomas, and certain types of leukemia. It is either used alone or in combination with other drugs.

Doxorubicin Drug administaration and Dosage available

Doxorubicin is an intravenous infusion drug that is injected through the veins. Your physician will choose the dosage and administration frequency based on your medical condition because it differs for each person.

Warnings, Precautions and Side Effects of Doxorubicin Injection

Warnings

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this may cause harm to the unborn baby, and use effective birth control during the treatment with this medication. Doxorubicin medicine may reduce fertility temporarily in men.

Inform your doctor if you have or had any history of heart disease or severe liver problems because these conditions are contraindicated to this medicine, and the dosage has to reduce.

Patients should be closely watched throughout treatment for any possible clinical problems brought on by myelosuppression.

Precautions

Notify your doctor immediately if you are taking any other drugs such as Trastuzumab,  Verapamil, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Cyclosporine, Sorafenib, Paclitaxel, and any other live vaccines because they may reduce effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.

Trastuzumab may stay up to 7 months in the body, which may interact with this medicine and affect the heart. Report to your doctor if you experience any unusual bleeding or signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or body aches.

Side Effects

The common side effects that may occur while undergoing treatment with Doxorubicin is

• lack of appetite,
• nausea, vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• hair loss,
• swelling in the mouth and ankle, numbness,
• pain,
• tingling,
• swelling, or reddening in the palms and feet,
• weight gain,
• arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats),
• red or watery eyes,
• excess tear production.

Some serious effects while you are on the treatment with Doxorubicin injections are low white blood cell count, severe allergic reaction, decreased activity in the bone marrow, increased level of liver enzyme.