It is given as a drip or infusion vein with extreme caution by a qualified medical professional. It can be used alone, or sometimes given together with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. It makes contraceptive pills less effective, so it advised to both male and female to use reliable contraception during the treatment.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, low blood platelets, hair loss, absence of menstrual periods, fever and rash. It is known to reduce the number of blood cells in your blood thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Infections can sometimes be life threatening. Regular blood tests are required to monitor your blood cells along with kidney, liver and heart function during treatment with this medicine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or have heart problem. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
USES OF EPITHRA INJECTION
BENEFITS OF EPITHRA INJECTION
In Cancer
Epithra 10mg Injection helps to treat certain kinds of cancer. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat cancer in various parts of the body. Epithra 10mg Injection kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
SIDE EFFECTS OF EPITHRA INJECTION
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Epithra
- Low blood platelets
- Nausea
- Hair loss
- Absence of menstrual periods
- Fever
- Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
- Hot flashes
- Gastrointestinal inflammation
- Rash
- Low energy
- Eye disorder
HOW TO USE EPITHRA INJECTION
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
HOW EPITHRA INJECTION WORKS
Epithra 10mg Injection is an anti-cancer medication. It works by suppressing the activity of an enzyme (topoisomerase II) involved in DNA multiplication of the breast cancer cells. It also forms harmful chemicals (free radicals) which cause DNA damage. This slows the growth of breast cancer cells and eventually kills them.
SAFETY ADVICE
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Epithra 10mg Injection.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Epithra 10mg Injection is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
UNSAFE
Epithra 10mg Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Epithra 10mg Injection may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Epithra 10mg Injection may cause episodes of nausea and vomiting, which can temporarily lead to an impairment of the ability to drive.
Epithra 10mg Injection may cause episodes of nausea and vomiting, which can temporarily lead to an impairment of the ability to drive.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Epithra 10mg Injection is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Epithra 10mg Injection may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Lower doses may be considered in patients with serum creatinine > 5 mg/dL.
Lower doses may be considered in patients with serum creatinine > 5 mg/dL.
Liver
CAUTION
Epithra 10mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Epithra 10mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
