Doxil

Doxil is used to treat ovarian cancer, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, and multiple myeloma.

Doxil may also be used for reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Doxil may cause serious problems with your heart. Contact your doctor immediately if you feel very weak or tired, experience fast heartbeats, have shortness of breath (even with mild activities), or notice swelling in your ankles or feet.

Inform your caregivers right away if you have side effects during the injection, such as fever, chills, difficulty breathing, feeling light-headed, chest pain or tightness, fast heartbeats, swelling in your face, or if your skin, lips, or nails turn blue.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to doxorubicin.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney or liver disease;
• heart disease; or
• radiation treatment to your chest.

Tell your doctor about all other cancer medicines or radiation treatments you have received in the past.

Long-term use of doxorubicin liposomal may increase your risk of developing certain other types of mouth cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Both men and women using Doxil should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Doxil can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if either the mother or father is using this medicine.

Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Doxil.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because Doxil can harm an unborn baby.

Doxil may also cause early menopause, depending on your age when you receive this medicine. Ask your doctor about this risk.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel feverish, chilled, light-headed, short of breath, itchy, warm or tingly, or have a headache, pain or tightness in your chest or throat, back pain, fast heartbeats, swelling in your face, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails.

Doxil may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
• hand-foot syndrome--pain, redness, numbness, and peeling skin on your hands or feet;
• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath; or
• signs of heart problems--fast heartbeats, shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), feeling very weak or tired, swelling in your ankles or feet.

Doxil may cause your urine to turn a reddish-orange color. This side effect is usually not harmful.

Common side effects of Doxil may include:

• low blood cell counts;
• fever;
• feeling weak or tired;
• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting;
• constipation, diarrhea;
• hand-foot syndrome;
• rash; or
• hair loss.

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.

Doxil is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Doxil is injected.

If this medicine accidentally gets on your skin, wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Doxorubicin can lower your blood cell counts. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Doxil.

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen. However, overdose symptoms may include fever, chills, flu symptoms, unusual bruising or bleeding, mouth sores, trouble swallowing, and changes in taste.

Stay away from people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection.

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Be extra careful to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Other drugs may affect Doxil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.