Doxorubicin liposomal is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Doxorubicin liposomal interferes
with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Doxorubicin liposomal is used to treat metastatic ovarian cancer and AIDS-related Kaposi's
sarcoma.
Doxorubicin liposomal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking doxorubicin liposomal?
Do not use doxorubicin liposomal without first talking to your doctor if you have
kidney disease;
liver disease;
heart disease;
poor bone marrow function;
received radiation therapy that encompassed the heart; or
previously received treatment with doxorubicin
(Adriamycin, Rubex), doxorubicin liposomal (Doxil), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), daunorubicin
liposomal (Daunoxome), idarubicin (Idamycin), or mitoxantrone (Novantrone).
The use of doxorubicin liposomal may be dangerous if you have any of the
conditions listed above.
Doxorubicin liposomal is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that doxorubicin
liposomal is known to be harmful to an unborn baby.
Do not
use doxorubicin
liposomal without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Discuss with your doctor the
appropriate use of birth control during, and for several months following, treatment with doxorubicin
liposomal if necessary.
Because of the potential for serious side effects in a nursing infant, breast-feeding should be
avoided during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal.
How should I take doxorubicin liposomal?
Doxorubicin liposomal should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified
healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with doxorubicin
liposomal depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you
have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical
evaluations during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal to monitor progress and side effects.
Skin accidentally exposed to doxorubicin liposomal should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and
warm water.
Your healthcare provider will store doxorubicin liposomal as directed by the manufacturer. If
you are storing doxorubicin liposomal at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare
provider.
What happens if I miss a dose of doxorubicin liposomal?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of doxorubicin liposomal.
Where can I get more information about doxorubicin liposomal?
Your pharmacist has information about doxorubicin liposomal written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of doxorubicin liposomal?
If you experience all of the following serious side effects from doxorubicin liposomal, contact
your doctor immediately:
an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
decreased bone marrow function and blood problems
(extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or
signs of infection);
tissue or vein reactions near the site of administration;
liver damage (abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or
eyes);
severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite;
inflamation and sores inside the mouth, throat, or
intestines;
fever, chills, or other signs of infection;
tingling, burning, redness, flaking, bothersome swelling,
small blisters, or small sores on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet;
numbness, tingling, or difficult movement of a body part;
seizures; or
increased levels of uric acid in the body (joint pain and
stiffness).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking
doxorubicin liposomal and talk to your doctor if you experience:
facial flushing during administration;
headache;
temporary hair loss; or
red colored urine shortly after receiving a dose (may
continue for 1 or 2 days).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about doxorubicin liposomal?
Doxorubicin liposomal should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified
healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Serious side effects have been reported with the use of doxorubicin liposomal including: allergic
reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); severe
heart damage with prolonged use; decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme
fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection);
severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the
possible side effects from treatment with doxorubicin liposomal.
What should I avoid while taking doxorubicin liposomal?
Doxorubicin liposomal can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to
infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not
receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with
doxorubicin liposomal. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated
with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.
Skin accidentally exposed to doxorubicin liposomal should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and
warm water.
What other drugs will affect doxorubicin liposomal?
Do not use doxorubicin liposomal without first talking to your doctor if you have had
previous treatment with doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), doxorubicin liposomal (Doxil), daunorubicin
(Cerubidine), daunorubicin liposomal (Daunoxome), idarubicin (Idamycin), or mitoxantrone
(Novantrone). Because there is a maximum amount of these medications that should be administered to
an individual, you may not be able to use doxorubicin.
Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal. Administration
of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with doxorubicin liposomal. Talk to your
doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including
herbal products, during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal.
What happens if I have an overdose of doxorubicin liposomal?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009