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.

Doxorubicin Chemotherapy Drug

What Is Doxorubicin?

Doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin^®, Doxil^®) 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.

(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. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

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.)

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