Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) Side Effects, Indications, Interactions, Dose Prescribing Information

What is Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)?

It s a antitumour antibiotic and finds a useful application in acute leukemia & in many solid tumours. Doxorubicin is capable of causing breaks in DNA strands and have mutagenic and carcinogenic potential. Maximum action is exerted at S phase, but toxicity is usually exhibited in G, phase. Doxorubicin (trade name Adriamycin; also known as hydroxydaunorubicin) is a drug used in cancer chemotherapy. It is an anthracycline antibiotic, closely related to the natural product daunomycin, and like all anthracyclines it works by intercalating DNA. A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Doxorubicin comes from the bacterium Streptomyces peucetius.

This drug is commonly sold as Brand Name Adriamycin.

Indication/Contraindication for use of Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

• Wilm’s tumour.
• Hepatic dysfuriction.
• Bronchogenic, bladder, breast & ovarian carcinoma.
• Acute my eloblastic leukaemia, soft tissue & bone sarcomas.
• Malignant lymphoma.
• gastrointesti nal tract carcinoma.
• Cardiac disease

Side Effects of Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Cardiotoxicity, alopecia, Marrow de pression, alopecia, cardiomyopathy, stomatitis, vomiting and local tissue damage.

Dosage and Prescribing Information for Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

1.2-2.4 mg/kg body wt or 60-75 mg/sq metre of body surface given as a single dose every 3 weeks by slow i.v. inj.

Drug Interactions of Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Cyclosporin, cardiotoxic agents potentiates the cardiotoxicity.

Precautions while prescribing Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

• Pregnancy: Not usually prescribed.
• Paediatrics: Reduced dose necessary.
• Elderly: Reduced dose may be necessary.
• Lactation: Not prescribed.
• ECG changes, arrhythmias, hypotension, or be delayed congestive heart failure.