Adriamycin

This page contains drug information on Adriamycin.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Adriamycin
the possible side effects of Adriamycin
what happens if you miss a dose of Adriamycin
what happens if you overdose with Adriamycin
the most important information about Adriamycin
how to use Adriamycin
other drugs that may affect Adriamycin
what to avoid while using Adriamycin
 
Generic Name: adriamycin (dock sew RUE bih sin)
Brand Names: Adriamycin
 
What is the most important information I should know about adriamycin?
 •  adriamycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
 •  Serious side effects have been reported with the use of adriamycin including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing closing of the throat swelling of the lips, tongue, or face or hives) severe heart damage with prolonged use decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue easy bruising or bleeding black, bloody or tarry stools fever or chills or signs of infection) severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with adriamycin.

What is adriamycin?
 •  adriamycin is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. adriamycin interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
 •  adriamycin is used to treat many types of cancer.
 •  adriamycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using adriamycin?
 •  Do not use adriamycin without first talking to your doctor if you have
      · kidney disease
      · liver disease
      · heart disease
      · poor bone marrow function
      · received radiation therapy that encompassed the heart or
      · previously received treatment with adriamycin (Adriamycin, Rubex), adriamycin liposomal (Doxil), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), daunorubicin liposomal (Daunoxome), idarubicin (Idamycin), or mitoxantrone (Novantrone).
 •  The use of adriamycin may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.
 •  adriamycin is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that adriamycin is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use adriamycin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with adriamycin if necessary.
 •  Because of the potential for serious side effects in a nursing infant, breast-feeding should be avoided during treatment with adriamycin.
 •  Children have an increased risk of heart problems due to treatment with adriamycin. Growth and gonadal development may also be affected.

How should I use adriamycin?
 •  adriamycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
 •  Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with adriamycin depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
 •  Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with adriamycin to monitor progress and side effects.
 •  Skin accidentally exposed to adriamycin should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.
 •  Caregivers of pediatric patients receiving adriamycin should avoid contact with the patients urine and other bodily fluids for at least 5 days after each treatment. Latex gloves and other protective measures may be recommended.
 •  Your healthcare provider will store adriamycin as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing adriamycin at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?
 •  Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of adriamycin.

What happens if I overdose?
 •  If for any reason an overdose of adriamycin is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.
 •  Symptoms of a adriamycin overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while using adriamycin?
 •  Skin accidentally exposed to adriamycin should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.
 •  Caregivers of pediatric patients receiving adriamycin should avoid contact with the patients urine and other bodily fluids for at least 5 days after each treatment. Latex gloves and other protective measures may be recommended.
 •  adriamycin can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with adriamycin. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

What are the possible side effects of adriamycin?
 •  If you experience any of the following serious side effects from adriamycin, contact your doctor immediately:
      · an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing closing of the throat swelling of the lips, tongue, or face or hives)
      · decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue easy bruising or bleeding black, bloody or tarry stools or fever, chills, or signs of infection)
      · congestive heart failure (difficulty breathing, fluid retention, chest pain)
      · irregular heartbeats
      · tissue or vein reactions near the site of administration
      · liver damage (abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes)
      · severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite
      · inflamation and sores inside the mouth, throat, or intestines
      · fever, chills, or other signs of infection
      · numbness, tingling, or difficult movement of a body part
      · seizures or
      · increased levels of uric acid in the body (joint pain and stiffness).
 •  Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking adriamycin and talk to your doctor if you experience:
      · facial flushing during administration
      · eye irritation or tearing
      · darkening of the nail beds and skin folds
      · temporary hair loss or
      · red colored urine for 1 or 2 days following a dose.
 •  Other side effects have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side effect that occurs during treatment with adriamycin.

What other drugs will affect adriamycin?
 •  Do not use adriamycin without first talking to your doctor if you have had previous treatment with adriamycin (Adriamycin, Rubex), adriamycin liposomal (Doxil), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), daunorubicin liposomal (Daunoxome), idarubicin (Idamycin), or mitoxantrone (Novantrone). Because there is a maximum amount of these medications that should be administered to an individual, you may not be able to use adriamycin.
 •  Before using adriamycin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines.
      · paclitaxel (Taxol)
      · progesterone (Prometrium)
      · verapamil (Calan, Calan SR, Covers-HS, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM, others)
      · cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
      · cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Cytoxan Lyophilized, Neosar)
      · phenobarbital
      · phenytoin (Dilantin) or
      · streptozocin (Zanosar).
 •  You may not be able to take adriamycin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
 •  Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with adriamycin. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with adriamycin.
 •  Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with adriamycin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with adriamycin.