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Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin is approved to treat breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer, among other cancer types. It is administered intravenously at your healthcare provider's office, a hospital, or an infusion center. The dose your healthcare provider prescribes will depend on factors such as your weight, the type of cancer being treated, and other medical conditions. Possible side effects include weight gain, nausea, and hair loss.
from eMedTV.comWhat Is Doxorubicin?
Doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin®) is a prescription medication used to treat various types of cancer. This includes breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer, to name a few. It is part of a group of chemotherapy medications called anthracyclines.Please note that this article refers specifically to the nonliposomal formulation of doxorubicin. For more information about the liposomal formulation (Doxil®), see Liposomal Doxorubicin.
(Click What Is Doxorubicin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Side Effects of Doxorubicin
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with doxorubicin. Like most forms of chemotherapy, doxorubicin is capable of causing serious side effects.Common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Hair loss (see Doxorubicin and Hair Loss)
- Nausea or vomiting (see Chemotherapy and Nausea)
- Weight gain (see Doxorubicin and Weight Gain).
(Click Side Effects of Doxorubicin to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD