Doxorubicin is a cytotoxic, anthracycline, topoisomerase II inhibitor indicated as a component of multi-agent adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of women with axillary lymph node involvement following resection of primary breast cancer.
Doxorubicin is also indicated for the treatment of cancers of the ovary, prostate, stomach, and thyroid; small cell cancer of the lung, and liver; squamous cell cancer of the head and neck; multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphomas, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH USING DOXORUBICIN?
Common side effects of Doxorubicin include:
- hair loss,
- thinning hair,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- sores in the mouth,
- skin darkening on the palms or feet, and
- diarrhea
Serious side effects of Doxorubicin include:
- fast or irregular heartbeat,
- shortness of breath,
- swelling of the feet and ankles,
- cough,
- hoarseness,
- fever,
- chills,
- redness or darkening of the skin,
- joint pain,
- lower back or side pain,
- pain at the injection site,
- painful or difficult urination,
- red streaks along the injected vein,
- stomach pain,
- black or tarry stools,
- blood in the urine,
- pinpoint red spots on the skin,
- easy bruising, and
- unusual bleeding
Rare side effects of Doxorubicin include:
- none
