Adriamycin Cytoxan - Side effects

Generic Name: Doxorubicin

Adriamycin is a antitumour antibiotic and finds a useful application in acute leukemia & in many solid tumours. Adriamycin 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 G2 phase.

Indications of Adriamycin

Malignant lymphoma. gastro-intesti­nal tract carcinoma. Bronchogenic, bladder, breast & ovarian carcinoma. Wilm's tumour. Acute my­eloblastic leukaemia. Soft tissue & bone sarcomas.

Dosage of 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.

Contra-indications -- Cardiac disease. Hepatic dysfunction.

Special Precautions of Adriamycin drug

• ECG changes,
• arrhythmias,
• hypotension, or
• be delayed congestive heart failure.

Paediatrics -- Reduced dose necessary.

Pregnancy -- Not usually prescribed.

Lactation -- Not prescribed.

Elderly -- Reduced dose may be necessary.

Side effects of Adriamycin

• Cardiotoxicity,
• alopecia,
• Marrow depression,
• alopecia,
• cardiomyopathy,
• stomatitis,
• vomiting and
• local tissue damage,

Drug Interactions of Adriamycin

Cyclosporin, cardiotoxic agents potentiates the cardiotoxicity.

Cancer Tip Remember you are receiving drugs (chemo-therapy) already. Alcohol and other drugs mayinterfere with the treatment(s) you are receiving.Your kidneys and liver are already working extrahard to deal with chemotherapy. Don’t over-stress them with more drugs.

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