Doxorubicin : Before Using - Adriamycin PFS, Adriamycin RDF, Rubex

Doxorubicin - Systemic

Brand Names

Adriamycin PFS, Adriamycin RDF, Rubex Doxorubicin *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

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 doxorubicin, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to doxorubicin or lincomycin.

Pregnancy care

There is a risk that this drug 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 medication may cause sterility, which could be permanent. Although sterility has been reported in pets and humans with this drug, this is less likely to occur than in pets.

Be sure that you have discussed these possible effects with your family doctor before receiving this drug. Before receiving doxorubicin make sure your family 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 family doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving doxorubicin.

Breast-feeding problem

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

Use for Children

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

Elderly care

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.

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 receiving 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 Doxorubicin may increase the side effects of medication or radiation therapy on the blood
If you have ever been treated with radiation to your chest chance of heart problems causing by doxorubicin may be increased

Probenecid - Benemid
Sulfinpyrazone - Anturane Doxorubicin may raise the concentration of uric acid in the blood. Since these medication are using to lower uric acid levels, they may not work as well in diseaseds receiving doxorubicin

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of 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

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

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

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