Doxorubicin, Liposomal : Before Using

Doxorubicin, Liposomal - Systemic

Brand Names

Doxil, Caelyx Doxorubicin, Liposomal *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using This Medication

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For liposomal doxorubicin, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to liposomal doxorubicin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy care

This drug may cause birth defects if either the male or the female parent is receiving it at the time of conception or if it is taken by the mother during pregnancy. In addition, many cancer medication may cause sterility, which may be permanent. Although sterility has been reported only in male dogs treated with the active ingredient of this drug, the possibility of an effect in human males must be kept in mind.

Be sure that you have discussed this with your family doctor before receiving this drug. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are receiving liposomal doxorubicin. Tell your family doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving liposomal doxorubicin.

Breast-feeding problem

Because liposomal doxorubicin may cause serious side effects in a nursing baby, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.

Use for Children

There is no special info comparing the use of liposomal doxorubicin in child with use in any other age group. Safety and efficacy of liposomal doxorubicin in child have not been established. However, problems are more likely to occur in child younger than 2 years of age, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of the active ingredient, doxorubicin.

Elderly care

This drug has been tested in a limited number of diseaseds 60 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause various side effects in elderly people than it does in adults people. However, problems are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of the active ingredient, doxorubicin. The elderly are also more likely to have blood problems.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking liposomal doxorubicin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Amphotericin B by injection - Fungizone
Antithyroid agents - drug for overactive thyroid
Azathioprine - Imuran
Chloramphenicol - Chloromycetin
Colchicine
Flucytosine - Ancobon
Ganciclovir - Cytovene
Interferon - Intron A, Roferon-A
Plicamycin - Mithracin
Zidovudine - AZT, Retrovir
If you have ever been treated with radiation or cancer medication Liposomal doxorubicin may increase the side effects of medication or radiation therapy on the blood

Daunorubicin - Cerubidine
Doxorubicin - Adriamycin
Idarubicin - Idamycin
Mitoxantrone - Novantrone Concurrent use of maximum cumulative doses of other anthracyclines with liposomal doxorubicin may increase risk of heart damage or blood problems. Concurrent use may increase risk of liver problems.

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of liposomal doxorubicin. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Chickenpox - including recent exposure
Herpes zoster - shingles chance of severe disease effecting other parts of the body

Heart disease chance of heart problems causing by liposomal doxorubicin may be increased

Infection Liposomal doxorubicin can decrease your body's ability to fight infection

Liver disease Effects of liposomal doxorubicin may be increased because of slower removal from the body