Doxorubicin

(doks oh ROO bi sin)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• This drug may cause harm to your child's heart. Talk with your child's doctor.
• This drug may have effects on the bone marrow. The bone marrow may not be able to make cells found in the blood as well as it used to for a few weeks.
• Children with liver disease may need a lower dose. Talk with your child's doctor.
• This drug may cause tissue damage if the drug leaks from the vein. Tell your child's nurse if your child has any redness, burning, pain, swelling, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your child's body.
• Other types of cancer may rarely happen later in life.
• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. Taking them together can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to doxorubicin or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has any of these health problems: A fast heartbeat, very bad liver disease, or a very weak heart.
• If your child has had daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, or mitoxantrone before, talk with your child's doctor.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat cancer.
• It is used to treat leukemia.
• It is used to treat lymphoma.

How is this drug given?

• It is given as a shot into a vein over a period of time.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• If your child has gallbladder disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has had radiation or is getting radiation now, talk with your child's doctor.
• If your child has a weak heart, talk with the doctor.
• Have your child get a heart function test. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Have your child's blood work checked. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before your child gets any vaccines. Use with this drug may either raise the chance of very bad infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child products that have aspirin, ibuprofen or like products, blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
• If your child drinks grapefruit juice or eats grapefruit often, talk with your child's doctor.
• Your child may get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and dress your child in clothing and eyewear that protects him/her from the sun.
• Your child may bleed or clot more easily. Have him/her be more careful and avoid injury. Keep your child from rough-housing or playing contact sports.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other doctors that your child is using this drug.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Your child may have more chance of getting infections. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.
• Color of urine is orange or red for 1 to 2 days after getting this drug.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy. Your child may be given drugs to avoid these signs.
• Flushing. Dressing your child in layers of clothes or summer clothes and providing a cool place may help.
• Mouth irritation or sores. Using a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing the mouth may help. Do not use mouth rinses that have alcohol in them.
• Hair loss. Hair most often grows back when this drug is stopped.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Harm to the heart may rarely happen.
• Other kinds of cancer may rarely happen later in life.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried or if any of the unwanted side effects happen after your child is given this drug.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows any signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color or sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• If your child shows signs of very bad dizziness or passes out.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very bad mouth irritation.
• If your child has a big weight loss.
• If your child has swelling in his/her feet or hands.
• If your child has any bruising or bleeding.
• If your child has very bad skin irritation.
• If your child has pain where the shot was given.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

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