The  U.S. FDA-approved Doxorubicin is an anticancer medication to treat main types of cancers, on 07th September 1993. 

Doxorubicin is used to treat various types of cancer, especially breast cancer, lung cancer, Malignant lymphomas, and certain types of leukemia. It is either used alone or in combination with other drugs. 

Doxorubicin is an intravenous infusion drug that is injected through the veins. Your physician will choose the dosage and administration frequency based on your medical condition because it differs for each person.

The common side effects that may occur while undergoing treatment with Doxorubicin is lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, swelling in the mouth and ankle, numbness, pain, tingling, swelling, or reddening in the palms and feet, weight gain, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats), red or watery eyes, excess tear production. 

Some serious effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with Doxorubicin injections are low white blood cell count, severe allergic reaction (shortness of breath, dizziness, itchy rash, tightness in chest or throat), decreased activity in the bone marrow, increased level of liver enzyme. 

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this may cause harm to the unborn baby, and use effective birth control during the treatment with this medication. Doxorubicin medicine may reduce fertility temporarily in men. So it is advised to get suggestions about fertility concerns from your doctor. Inform your doctor if you have or had any history of heart disease or severe liver problems because these conditions are contraindicated to this medicine, and the dosage has to be reduced. Patients should be closely watched throughout treatment for any possible clinical problems brought on by myelosuppression.

Notify your doctor immediately if you are recently taken any other drugs such as Trastuzumab,  Verapamil, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Cyclosporine, Sorafenib, Paclitaxel, and any other live vaccines because they may reduce effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. Trastuzumab may stay up to 7 months in the body, which may interact with this medicine and affect the heart. Report to your doctor if you experience any unusual bleeding or signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or body aches. 

Inform your doctor if you took or currently taking any chemotherapy medications. Notify your doctor if you are on a salt-controlled diet since it contains sodium. Keep Doxorubicin injection out of sight and reach of children. Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. Doxorubicin injection may cause side effects that could impair your driving ability. Avoid driving if you are unwell.

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. Pfizer Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [Revised on Feb 2021], [ Accessed on 25 Mar 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6184.pdf
4. Bedford Laboratories, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on April 2013], [ Accessed on 25 Mar 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/050467s073lbl.pdf  

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.