Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)

Adriamycin, an active medicine against many cancers, is one of the older chemotherapy drugs, having been in use for decades. Adriamycin is a clear, orange-red colored powder or liquid, which is administered intravenously only. It is most commonly used in treatment of the following cancers:

• Breast

• Stomach

• Lymphomas

• Multiple Myeloma

• Sarcomas

• Bone tumors

The type and extent of a cancer will determine the method and schedule of administration of this drug. This decision is made by the medical oncologist. Adriamycin may be administered as a continuous intravenous infusion over a span of four to five days,, or given on a scheduled basis, i.e., once a week or once every three to four weeks, etc.)

Side effects:

The degree and severity of the side effects depend on the amount and schedule of the administration of Adriamycin. Some of the significant side effects are:

• Soreness of the mouth, difficulty swallowing

• Diarrhea

• Low white blood counts

• Low platelet count

• Anemia

• Heart problems

• Damage to the veins (It can cause redness and irritation at the site of injection, despite proper injection.)

• Severe damage to the tissues if it leaks from the injection site (Extravasation)

• Red urine, which is due to excretion of the medicine by the kidneys

It is imperative that a patient communicate any side effects or problems to his/her medical oncologist.