Doxorubicin (Conventional)

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapy drug that is often used in conjunction with other drugs to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. This drug can be used to stop or slow the growth of cancer in children as well as to treat cancers of the ovaries, immune system, breast or bladder in adults.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication is toxic to body tissues. It should only be injected into the veins to prevent irritation and soreness. If the medication leaks into tissues from the veins, it may cause blisters, rashes and sores. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects.

Doxorubicin can cause heart disease at any time during treatment; patients may also develop heart disease years after their last dose of this drug. Patients who are on this drug should get regular EKGs so that their doctors can catch heart disease early.

Some patients develop serious infections while on this drug because it lowers the number of white blood cells produced in the body.