Doxorubicin (Systemic)

Brand name(s): in P

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For doxorubicin, the following should be considered:

Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to doxorubicin or lincomycin.

Pregnancy-There is a chance that this medicine may cause birth defects if either the male or female is receiving it at the time of conception or if it is taken by the mother during pregnancy. Studies in rats and rabbits have shown that doxorubicin causes birth defects in the fetus and other problems (including miscarriage). In addition, many cancer medicines may cause sterility, which could be permanent. Although sterility has been reported in animals and humans with this medicine, this is less likely to occur in humans than in animals.

Be sure that you have discussed these possible effects with your doctor before receiving this medicine. Before receiving doxorubicin make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are receiving doxorubicin. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving doxorubicin.

Breast-feeding-Because doxorubicin may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving this medicine.

Children-Heart problems are more likely to occur in children younger than 2 years of age, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of doxorubicin.

Older adults-Heart problems are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of doxorubicin. The elderly may also be more likely to have blood problems.

Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When receiving doxorubicin it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone) or
• Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) or
• Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
• Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
• Colchicine or
• Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon) or
• Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene) or
• Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A) or
• Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
• Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir) or
• If you have ever been treated with radiation or cancer medicines-Doxorubicin may increase the effects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood
• If you have ever been treated with radiation to your chest-Risk of heart problems caused by doxorubicin may be increased

• Probenecid (e.g., Benemid) or
• Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane)-Doxorubicin may raise the concentration of uric acid in the blood. Since these medicines are used to lower uric acid levels, they may not work as well in patients receiving doxorubicin

Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of doxorubicin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
• Herpes zoster (shingles)-Risk of severe disease affecting other parts of the body

• Gout or
• Kidney stones-Doxorubicin may increase levels of uric acid in the body, which can cause gout or kidney stones

• Heart disease-Risk of heart problems caused by doxorubicin may be increased

• Liver disease-Effects of doxorubicin may be increased because of its slower removal from the body

Last Revised: 06/15/1999