DOXIL

Drug Name: DOXIL

DOXIL DESCRIPTION:
DOXORUBICIN W/LIPOSOMES (dox-oh-REW-beh-sin WITH LIP-oh-sohmz)

COMMON DOXIL BRAND NAME(S):
Doxil

DOXIL SIDE EFFECTS:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss or irritation at the injection site may occur. If these effects continue or become severe, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop: mouth sores, unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, facial swelling, skin rash, peeling of the hands or feet, flushing, headache, chills, fever, breathing trouble, tightness of the chest or throat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE DOXIL:
DOXIL: This is administered by infusion into a vein over 30 minutes by a health care professional. It is usually given once every three weeks. The dose and frequency is based on your condition and response to previous therapy.

DOXIL WARNING:
DOXIL must be given slowly and directly into a vein (IV) after mixing with other intravenous fluids. Do not inject DOXIL into the muscle (IM) or just beneath the skin (SC). If DOXIL accidentally leaks into surrounding tissue, the skin and/or muscle may be severely damaged. Notify the doctor immediately if redness, pain, and swelling occurs at, or around, the injection site. Doxorubicin may cause heart problems (including heart failure) or bone marrow suppression. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop an irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, swelling of the hands or feet, easy bruising or bleeding, dry cough, or signs of infection such as fever, unusual fatigue, or persistent sore throat. Heart problems may occur during therapy or sometimes, months to years after receiving DOXIL. The risk of developing heart problems varies depending on your dose and condition. If you develop headache, chills, back pain, tightness in the chest, flushing, dizziness or breathing troubles, notify your doctor immediately. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems since the dose should be decreased in this situation. Do not switch between different brands of DOXIL. They are not equal on a mg-per-mg basis. Your doctor will closely monitor you while you are using this medication.

DOXIL USES:
This anticancer medication is used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma or cancer of the ovaries.

DOXIL PRECAUTIONS:
Before using this, tell your doctor if you have: heart disease, liver disease, any allergies. DOXIL is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using DOXIL. It is not known if DOXIL is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DOXIL DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of any nonprescription or prescription medication you may use, especially of: digoxin, other anti-cancer drugs, progesterones, verapamil, cyclosporine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, streptozocin, live virus vaccines. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

DOXIL OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

DOXIL NOTES:
Laboratory tests and blood counts will be done routinely while using this to monitor its effects and prevent side effects.

MISSED DOXIL DOSE:
It is important that each dose be used as scheduled. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor who will help establish a new dose schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

DOXIL STORAGE:
Store this in the refrigerator at 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C) as directed. Once prepared the diluted solution may be refrigerated and should be used within 24 hours. May be frozen if used within one month. Check the expiration date on the label and properly discard of any unused medication after that time.