General Information For Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Doxorubicin is used widely in the treatment of cancers, including breast, ovarian, bladder and lung cancer, as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and sarcoma. Doxorubicin is the chemical name for the drug. One of the most common brands of doxorubicin is Adriamycin.

One way in which doxorubicin works is by binding to the cancer cells' DNA (the genetic code) and blocking an important enzyme (called topo-isomerase II). This causes the DNA to get tangled up and the cancer cells cannot divide and grow.

Doxorubicin is a red liquid that you have as an injection into a vein (intravenously) or as a drip (infusion) through a fine tube put into a vein (cannula). Or you may have it through a central line.

Chemotherapy is usually given as a course of several cycles of treatment. The treatment plan for doxorubicin depends on which cancer you are having treatment for. To find out more about the way doctors plan chemotherapy treatment click on Planning Chemotherapy.

The side effects associated with doxorubicin are listed below. Use the links (underlined) to find out more about each side effect. We are still developing this section. For more information on side effects where there is no link, please look under your own specific type of cancer or click on search at the top of any page.

Common Side Effects

Many people have one or more of the following side effects

These effects on your bone marrow can begin about 7 days after each treatment and usually return to normal at about 21-28 days. Your doctor will check your blood counts regularly to see how well your bone marrow is working. Contact your doctor if you have any of these side effects.

Occasional Side Effects of Doxorubicin

Some people have one or more of the following side effects

Side Effects with High Doses of Doxorubicin

With high doses of doxorubicin or many treatments with doxorubicin there is a small risk that you may get

Remember

People you can talk to about your side effects: Your chemotherapy nurse, clinic or ward nurse will have given you a contact number. You can ring if you have any questions or problems. They can give you advice or reassure you. If in doubt, call.