Adriamycin PFS (Doxorubicin hydrochloride) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 23, 2012

Adriamycin PFS

Cancer »

What is cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. The abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. Many cancers and the abnormal cells that compose the cancer tissue are further identified by the name of the tissue that the abnormal cells originated from (for example, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer). Cancer is not confined to humans; animals and other living organisms can get cancer. Below is a schematic that shows normal cell division and how when a cell is damaged or altered without repair to its system, the cell usually dies. Also shown is what can occur when such damaged or unrepaired cells do not die and become cancer cells and proliferate with uncontrolled growth; a mass of cancer cells develop. Frequently, cancer cells can break away from this original mass of cells, travel through the blood and lymph systems, and lodge in other organs where they can again repeat the ...

Read the Cancer article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Adriamycin PFS User Reviews >>

Adriamycin PFS

Breast Cancer Slideshow Pictures

Pancreatic Cancer Slideshow Pictures

Skin Cancer Slideshow Pictures

font size

Adriamycin PFS Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Adriamycin

Generic Name: doxorubicin (Pronunciation: DOX oh ROO bi sin)

What is doxorubicin (Adriamycin PFS)?

Doxorubicin is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Doxorubicin interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Doxorubicin is used to treat many types of cancer.

Doxorubicin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of doxorubicin (Adriamycin PFS)?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects from doxorubicin, contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection);
congestive heart failure (difficulty breathing, fluid retention, chest pain);
irregular heartbeats;
tissue or vein reactions near the site of administration;
liver damage (abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes);
severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite;
inflamation and sores inside the mouth, throat, or intestines;
fever, chills, or other signs of infection;
numbness, tingling, or difficult movement of a body part;
seizures; or
increased levels of uric acid in the body (joint pain and stiffness).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking doxorubicin and talk to your doctor if you experience:

facial flushing during administration;
eye irritation or tearing;
darkening of the nail beds and skin folds;
temporary hair loss; or
red colored urine for 1 or 2 days following a dose.

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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about doxorubicin (Adriamycin PFS)?

Doxorubicin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of doxorubicin including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); severe heart damage with prolonged use; decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection); severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with doxorubicin.

Related Drug Centers