Pegadria 50mg Injection is an anticancer medication that contains the active constituent doxorubicin encapsulated in a closed lipid sphere (liposome).  Cancer is a disease in which cells multiply in an uncontrolled and abnormal manner. This medication treats breast cancer, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma (cancer of white blood cells called plasma cells), and AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.  

People with HIV infection have the highest risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma (cancer that forms in the lining of the lymph and blood vessels). Pegadria 50mg Injection may be given alone or in combination with other anticancer medicines. This medication is not recommended for adolescents and children. 

Use effective birth control during the treatment and at least six months after the last dose. It is important to tell your doctor if you are allergic to peanuts or soya if you are receiving medicines for heart or liver disorders, has diabetes, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or have oral problems before taking Pegadria 50mg Injection.

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma

Pegadria 50mg Injection is a new class of drug formulations delivered in vesicles called liposomes. The mechanism of action of doxorubicin HCl is related to its ability to bind DNA and inhibit nucleic acid synthesis. Studies have demonstrated that the drug penetrates rapidly into the cell, binds to certain proteins in DNA, and thereby inhibits cell division and nucleic acid synthesis.

Inform your doctor about any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medicines, nutrition or vitamin supplements, and herbal products that you are taking or have taken before the treatment. Certain medications may interact with Pegadria 50mg Injection and can cause undesirable side effects. 

• Keep Pegadria 50mg Injection out of sight and reach of children.
• Store refrigerated at 2°C - 8°C. Do not freeze.

The drug should be administered only by physicians experienced with cancer chemotherapy. Your physician will determine the dose and frequency of administration based on the type of cancer and severity of the disease. Generally, for breast and ovarian cancer, the medicine is administered intravenously at a dose of 50 mg/m2 body surface once every 4 weeks for at least 4 courses. For treating AIDS-Kaposi Sarcoma, the drug is administered intravenously at a dose of 20 mg/m2 body surface once every two- to- three weeks only after the failure of prior systemic chemotherapy or intolerance to such therapy. For treating multiple myeloma, first bortezomib is administered at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 as intravenous bolus on days 1, 4 , 8 and 11, every three weeks, then pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 should be administered as a 1-hr intravenous infusion on day 4 following bortezomib.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them. 

Serious

• Fever, tiredness, bruising or bleeding
• Severe diarrhea, sores in mouth, nausea, vomiting
• Lung infections, shortness of breath
• Severe stomach pain
• Severe weakness

Common

• Low blood cell counts
• Hair loss
• Decreased appetite
• Skin rashes
• Pain in the muscles and joints
• Constipation
• Feeling confused, difficulty sleeping
• Headache, dizziness, sleepiness
• Change in taste
• High or low blood pressure
• Excessive sweating
• Pain when passing urine
• Weight loss
• Muscle spasms
• Fast heartbeat

Avoid prolonged sun exposure and unnecessary heat exposure (such as hot dishwater and long hot baths). Avoid pressure on elbows, knees, and soles of feet (such as leaning on elbows, kneeling, and long walks). Wear loose clothing. Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature. Avoid keeping the tablet in direct sunlight or excessive moisture. This drug may cause dizziness. If you are affected by this side effect, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alert until you can do it safely.

1. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Cytotoxic agents, 12th edition, 2011, 1714.
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 867.
3. Baxter Holding BV, European medicines agency (ema), [Revised on May 2006] [ Accessed on 4th  Dec 2021], https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/caelyx-pegylated-liposomal-epar-product-information_en.pdf
4. Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on May 2007] [ Accessed on 4th Dec 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/050718s029lbl.pdf