Mitoxantrone

People who suffer from multiple sclerosis may take Mitoxantrone injections. This medication helps slow the progress of the disease so that patients can continue to walk and perform other functions that the disease eventually interferes with. This medication is also prescribed to combat advanced stage prostate cancer. The medication works by interfering with the immune system so that cancer cells don’t multiply or MS doesn’t advance.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication can cause patients to have abnormally low white blood cell counts. As a result, patients may suffer from infections that the immune system normally would take care of. Patients should see their doctors immediately if they experience symptoms of infection such as coughing, sneezing, nausea, fever or chills.

Mitoxantrone can also cause irreversible heart damage. Patients must get regular EKGs while on the medication and after finishing the medication. In some cases, patients may have fatal heart attacks or cardiac arrest as a result of taking this drug. Call 911 if your heart beats unusually fast, your ankles or feet swell, or you have severe chest pain while on this medication.