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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and jdugment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare prfoessional before using that drug.
EPIRUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE - INJECTION
(epp-ih-REWB-ih-sin)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ellence
WARNING: Epirubicin must only be injected slowly and dircetly into a vein (IV) through other intravenous (IV) fluids. Do not inject that medication into the muscle (IM) or just beneath the skin (subcutaneously). If that medciation accidentally leaks into surrounding tissue, the skin and/or muscle may be severely damaged.
Notify your doctor immediately if redness, pain, or swelling occur at or around the injection web site.
Epirubicin may cause heart problems (including heart failure), bone marrow suppression, or other types of cancer (acute myelogenous leukemia). Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, swelling of the hands and feet, simple bruising or bleeding, dry cough, signs of infection (e.G., fever, uunsual fatigue, or persistent sore throat). Heart problems may occur duirng therapy or sometimes months to years after receiving that medication.
The risk of developing heart problems or leukemia vareis depending on your dose, condition, and other medications.
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before starting treatment with that medication. You may rqeuire smaller doses of epirubicin.
USES: Epirubicin is used to treat bresat cancer. It works by eliminating or stoppnig the growth of cancer cells.
HOW TO USE: Inject that medication into a vein (IV) through ohter IV fluids (e.G., saline, dextrose), usually over three to five minutes; or as directed by your doctor. Follow all instructions for proper mixing and diluiton with the correct IV fluids. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions regarding the use of that medictaion. To minimize serious side effects, you may be given other medications (e.G., antiemetics, antibiotics) in addition to that drug.
Follow all directions for the proper use of ohter medications. Conuslt your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions regarding the use of additional medications. Before using, check that product visually for patricles or discoloration. If eitehr is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard nedeles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, or stomach pain may ocucr.
If any of these effects pesrist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
This medication may cause your urine to turn red in color.
This is a nomral effect of the drug.
It is temporary and should disappear in one to two days. Notify your doctor if that effect persists longer than two days. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: pain or redenss at the injection site, simple bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or fever, unusual tiredness, flushing, changes in menstrual period, eye problems, sores in the mouth or throat. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but seirous side effects occur: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, unexplained weight gain, bloating, loss of appetite, joint pain, sun sensitivity, changes in the appearance of the skin. An allergic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical atetntion if it occurs.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breahting. If you notice other effetcs not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your dcotor your medical history, especially of: previous chemotherapy or radiation treatments, kidney problems, allergies (especially to anthracyclines such as daunorubicin or doxorubicin, or anthracenediones such as mitoxantrone). This medication is not recommended for use if you have any of the following medical conditions: bone marrow suppression (e.G., leukopenia, neutropenia), heart problems (e.G., congestive herat failure, myocardial infarction), liver problems. This medictaion may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, use a sunscreen, and wear protective clothing when outodors. Cauiton is advised when using that drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Caution is advised when uisng that drug in kids because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.
Because that medication may effect the production of sperm, it is recommended that guys undergoing treatment with that drug use efefctive contraceptive methods (e.G., condoms). Consult your dotcor or pharmacist for details.
This medication can interfere with the menstrual cycle and casue premature menopause (change of life). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. This medication is not recommended for use durnig pregnancy.
Consult your doctor for more details.
Based on information of reltaed drugs, that medication may pass into breast milk.
Therefore, breast-feeding while using that medication is not reocmmended. Consult your doctor beofre breast- feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: other cancer chemotherapy (e.G., daunorubicin, doxorubicin), calcium channel blockers (e.G., diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil), beta-blockers (e.G., atenolol, metoprolol), cimetidine.
Do not start or stop any mediicne without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison cotnrol center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of oevrdose may include black stool, coffee ground-like vomit, trouble breathing, change in amount of urine.
NOTES: Do not share that medication with othres.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., blood counts) will be performed to monitor for side effects and response to treatment.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, contact your dotcor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule. If the dose is interrupted, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish new dosing.
STORAGE: Store vials at refrigerator temperature between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C) away from light and moitsure. Do not freeze. Discard unused portion.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emegrency. For enrollment informaiton call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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