Epirubicin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is Epirubicin used for?

Epirubicin is a drug used to treat breast cancer. The way epirubicin works is by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells. This drug belongs to a class of drugs known as anthracyclines.

Epirubicin can also be used to treat other cancers, such as bone cancer.

How do you use Epirubicin?

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a healthcare professional, as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on medical condition, body size, and response to treatment.

If this medicine comes in contact with your skin, immediately wash the area with plenty of water. You can also use soap and water or mix baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with plenty of water. If this medicine gets in your eyes, open your eyelids and flush with water for 15 minutes, then get medical help right away.

Drink plenty of fluids while using this medication, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Doing so can help reduce the risk of certain side effects (for example, increased uric acid).

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How do I store Epirubicin?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using Epirubicin?

Before using Epirubicin,

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to epirubicin, daunorubicin (Cerubidine, DaunoXome), doxorubicin (Doxorubicin), idarubicin (Idamycin), other drugs, or any of the ingredients in epirubicin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are using or will be using. Be sure to mention the following: other anticoagulant drugs listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and one of the following drugs: calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine ( DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); certain chemotherapy drugs such as docetaxel (Taxotere) or paclitaxel (Abraxane, Onxol); or cimetidine (Tagamet) Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medicine or monitor you carefully for side effects. Other drugs can also interact with epirubicin, so be sure to tell your doctor about all drugs you use, even those that don't appear on this list.
Tell your doctor if you have previously received radiation therapy or have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
You should know that epirubicin can interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (periods) in women and can stop sperm production in men. However, you don't have to assume that you can't get pregnant. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should tell their doctor before they start receiving this medicine. You should not become pregnant or breastfeeding while you are receiving epirubicin injections. If you become pregnant while receiving epirubicin, call your doctor. Talk with your doctor about birth control methods that can be used during your treatment. Epirubicin can harm the fetus.

Is Epirubicin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Animal studies have shown that epirubicin poses a risk to the fetus if consumed by pregnant women. However, if the mother's condition is fatal if not treated with epirubicin, your doctor may consider using this drug.

Always consult your doctor or midwife before taking any medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Epirubicin?

Common side effects of epirubicin are:

Heat attack
Menstruation doesn't come
Temporary hair loss
Feeling weak or tired
Mild nausea, diarrhea
Redness of the eyes, swollen eyelids

Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:

Pain, burning sensation of the skin, irritation where the injection is given
Feeling short of breath, even with light exertion
Swelling, rapid weight gain (especially on your face and midsection)
Nausea, upper abdominal pain, hives, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Fast, slow, or uneven heart rate
Anxiety, sweating, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, gasping for breath
Chest pain, sudden cough, cough with foamy mucus, rapid breathing, coughing up blood
Lower back pain, blood in your urine, urinating less than usual or not at all
Numbness or tingling around your mouth, weak pulse, overactive reflexes, confusion, fainting
Muscle weakness, tightness, or contractions
Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in mouth and throat
Pale skin, feeling dizzy or short of breath, fast heart rate, difficulty concentrating
Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under your skin

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Epirubicin?

Although certain drugs should not be used together at all, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may want to change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed.

When you are receiving this medicine it is very important that your healthcare provider knows if you are currently taking any of the medicines that are listed below. The following interactions are selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the other medicines you use.

Rotavirus Vaccine, Live

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
Bacillus Calmette and Guerin Vaccines, Live
Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
Smallpox vaccine
Typhoid Vaccine
Tratuzumah
Varicella Virus Vaccine
Yellow fever vaccine

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or adjust how often you use one or both drugs

Cimetidine
Paclitaxe

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of the Epirubicin drug?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Epirubicin?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

Congestive heart failure
Gout, or history or
Heart disease - Use with caution. It might make things worse
Heart attack, new
Heart disease, severe
Heart rhythm problems (eg, arrhythmia), severe
Liver disease, severe - Should not be used in patients with this condition
Infection - Can decrease your body's ability to fight infection
Kidney illness
Liver disease - Use with caution. The effect can be increased due to slower clearance of the drug from the body

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of epirubicin for adults?

Initial dose: 100-120 mg / m2 by intravenous infusion every 3-4 weeks. The total dose can be given on Day 1 of each cycle or divided equally and given on Days 1 and 8 of each cycle