Note: This document contains side effect information about doxorubicin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Adriamycin.
Summary
Common side effects of Adriamycin include: severe nausea and vomiting, nausea and vomiting, and alopecia. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to doxorubicin: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution.
Warning
Intravenous route (Solution; Powder for Solution)
Myocardial damage can occur with DOXOrubicin hydrochloride with incidences from 1% to 20% for cumulative doses from 300 to 500 mg/m(2) when DOXOrubicin hydrochloride is administered every 3 weeks. The risk of cardiomyopathy is further increased with concomitant cardiotoxic therapy. Assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before and regularly during and after treatment with DOXOrubicin hydrochloride. Secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) occur at a higher incidence in patients treated with anthracyclines, including DOXOrubicin hydrochloride. Extravasation of DOXOrubicin hydrochloride can result in severe local tissue injury and necrosis requiring wide excision and skin grafting. Immediately terminate the drug, and apply ice to the affected area. Severe myelosuppression resulting in serious infection, septic shock, requirement for transfusions, hospitalization, and death may occur.
Serious side effects of Adriamycin
Along with its needed effects, doxorubicin (the active ingredient contained in Adriamycin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking doxorubicin:
Less common
- Cough or hoarseness accompanied by fever or chills
- darkening or redness of the skin (if you recently had radiation treatment)
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- fever or chills
- joint pain
- lower back or side pain accompanied by fever or chills
- pain at the injection site
- painful or difficult urination accompanied by fever or chills
- red streaks along the injected vein
- shortness of breath
- stomach pain
- swelling of the feet and lower legs
Rare
- Black, tarry stools
- blood in the urine
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Other side effects of Adriamycin
Some side effects of doxorubicin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Hair loss, thinning of hair
- nausea and vomiting
- sores in the mouth and on the lips
Less common
- Darkening of the soles, palms, or nails
- diarrhea
After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- swelling of the feet and lower legs
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to doxorubicin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Cardiomyopathy, decreased LVEF, ECG changes (e.g., sinus tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, bundle branch block), congestive heart failure
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pericarditis, myocarditis
Postmarketing reports: Cardiogenic shock, phlebosclerosis, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, hot flashes, thromboembolism[Ref]
Hematologic
Very common (10% or more): Leucopenia (60% to 80%)
Common (1% to 10%): Bone marrow suppression
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Alopecia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Urticaria, exanthema, local erythematous reactions along the vein which was used for the injection, hyperpigmentation of skin and nails, onycholysis
Postmarketing reports: Oncolysis, rash, itching, photosensitivity, urticaria, acral erythema, palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea and vomiting (20% to 85%), stomatitis (up to 80%), diarrhea (12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Mucositis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ulceration and necrosis of the colon, especially the cecum (in combination with cytarabine)[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Extravasation, tissue necrosis[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions[Ref]
Renal
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Renal insufficiency[Ref]
Other
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Shivering, fever
Frequency not reported: Radiation recall
Postmarketing reports: Malaise, asthenia, fever, chills[Ref]
Oncologic
Common (1% to 10%): Secondary malignancies[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Conjunctivitis
Postmarketing reports: Keratitis, lacrimation[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Local reactions (chemical cystitis) may occur with intravesical treatment
Rare (less than 0.1%): Bladder contracture
Frequency not reported: Amenorrhea[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia
Frequency not reported: Hyperuricemia, tumor lysis syndrome
Postmarketing reports: Weight gain[Ref]
Hepatic
Postmarketing reports: Increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough, epistaxis, pneumonia, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection[Ref]
Nervous system
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dizziness
Postmarketing reports: Peripheral sensory and motor neuropathy, seizures, coma[Ref]
