Doxil

Generic Name: doxorubicin liposomal (DOZ oh ROO bi sin LYE poe SOE mal)

Brand Names: Doxil

What is Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal)?

Doxorubicin liposomal is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Doxorubicin liposomal interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Doxorubicin liposomal is used to treat metastatic ovarian cancer and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

Doxorubicin liposomal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal)?

Doxorubicin liposomal 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 doxorubicin liposomal 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 doxorubicin liposomal.

Who should not use Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal)?

Do not use doxorubicin liposomal without first talking to your doctor if you have

• kidney disease;


• liver disease;


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  heart disease;

  
  


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  poor bone marrow function;

  
  


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  received radiation therapy that encompassed the heart; or

  
  


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  previously received treatment with doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), doxorubicin liposomal (Doxil), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), daunorubicin liposomal (Daunoxome), idarubicin (Idamycin), or mitoxantrone (Novantrone).

  
  

The use of doxorubicin liposomal may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Doxorubicin liposomal is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that doxorubicin liposomal is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use doxorubicin liposomal without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during, and for several months following, treatment with doxorubicin liposomal if necessary. Because of the potential for serious side effects in a nursing infant, breast-feeding should be avoided during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal.

How should I use Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal)?

Doxorubicin liposomal 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 doxorubicin liposomal 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 doxorubicin liposomal to monitor progress and side effects.

Skin accidentally exposed to doxorubicin liposomal should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Your healthcare provider will store doxorubicin liposomal as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing doxorubicin liposomal 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 doxorubicin liposomal.

What happens if I overdose?

If for any reason an overdose of doxorubicin liposomal is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a doxorubicin liposomal overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while using Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal)?

Doxorubicin liposomal 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 doxorubicin liposomal. 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.

Skin accidentally exposed to doxorubicin liposomal should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal) side effects

If you experience all of the following serious side effects from doxorubicin liposomal, contact your doctor immediately:

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  an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  
  


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  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);

  
  


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  congestive heart failure (difficulty breathing, fluid retention, chest pain);

  
  


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  irregular heartbeats;

  
  


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  tissue or vein reactions near the site of administration;

  
  


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  liver damage (abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  
  


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  severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite;

  
  


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  inflamation and sores inside the mouth, throat, or intestines;

  
  


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  fever, chills, or other signs of infection;

  
  


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  tingling, burning, redness, flaking, bothersome swelling, small blisters, or small sores on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet;

  
  


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  numbness, tingling, or difficult movement of a body part;

  
  


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  seizures; or

  
  


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  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 doxorubicin liposomal and talk to your doctor if you experience:

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  facial flushing during administration;

  
  


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  headache;

  
  


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  temporary hair loss; or

  
  


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  red colored urine shortly after receiving a dose (may continue for 1 or 2 days).

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal)?

Do not use doxorubicin liposomal without first talking to your doctor if you have had previous treatment with doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), doxorubicin 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 doxorubicin. Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with doxorubicin liposomal. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with doxorubicin liposomal.

More Doxil resources

• Doxil Side Effects (in more detail)
• Doxil Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Doxil Drug Interactions
• Doxil Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Doxil - Add your own review/rating

• Doxil Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Doxil Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Doxil MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Doxil with other medications

• Kaposi's Sarcoma
• Multiple Myeloma
• Ovarian Cancer

Where can I get more information?

• Your healthcare provider may have additional information about doxorubicin liposomal that you may read.

See also: Doxil side effects (in more detail)