Liposomal Doxorubicin Injection is an anticancer medication that belongs to the group of medications called anthracyclines. FDA approved it on November 17, 1995, for its medical use.

This medication treats breast cancer, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma (cancer of white blood cells called plasma cells), and AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma. Liposomal Doxorubicin Injection may be given alone or in combination with other anticancer medicines. This medication is not recommended for adolescents and children.

A healthcare professional will give it to you. Your physician will decide your dose and frequency of administration based on your disease condition and other factors. Do not self-administer. 

Common side effects of liposomal doxorubicin are 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, and fast heartbeat. Other serious side effects are fever, tiredness, bruising or bleeding, severe diarrhea, sores in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, lung infections, shortness of breath, severe stomach pain, and severe weakness. 

Liposomal doxorubicin is intended to cause severe congestive heart failure and heart muscle disease. The drug should be administered carefully in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, and cardiac function should be monitored regularly during the therapy. The drug has been shown to cause acute infusion reactions such as flushing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, headache, chills, chest pain, back pain, tightness in the chest and throat, fever, increased heart rate, rash, decreased blood pressure, bluish discoloration of the skin, and dizziness. If you face any of the symptoms, notify your healthcare professional immediately. The drug is reported to cause fetal abnormalities; taking it if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant is not advisable.

The drug may cause decreased bone marrow activity. Monitoring complete blood counts regularly during therapy and watching for infections is advisable. Hand-foot syndrome has been reported with the usage of liposomal doxorubicin. Report to your doctor immediately if you experience swelling, pain, redness, dryness, peeling, blisters, or tingling/burning of the hands/feet. The symptoms can worsen by heat/pressure on your hands/feet. The drug may cause allergic reactions; notify your doctor if you see any symptoms of rash, itchy skin, redness, Swelling of your lips or tongue, sudden cough, and low blood pressure. Inform your physician if you have heart disease, gastrointestinal disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, blood/bleeding problems, or infection and about all the other prescribed, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal medications you take. This medication may give a reddish-orange color to your urine, tears, and sweat. This normal drug effect should not be mistaken for blood in your urine. Temporary hair loss may occur.

Inform the doctor if the patient has allergic reactions, diabetes, blood pressure, kidney, or liver diseases before taking this medication. Blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and liver and kidney function should be monitored regularly while taking this medication. Don't stop this medication without the proper advice of the doctor. Avoid making plans for pregnancy or during pregnancy, as this medication can cause harmful effects on the developing baby. Avoid driving after taking this medication because it causes dizziness and lack of concentration.

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

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 can receive this treatment.