Epirubicin

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Pronunciation: EP-i-ROO-bi-sin
Generic Name: Epirubicin
Brand Name: Ellence

Epirubicin is for injection into a vein only and should only be given under the supervision of a doctor experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapy agents. If Epirubicin accidentally leaks into surrounding tissue, the skin and/or muscle may be severely damaged. Notify your doctor at once if redness, pain, or swelling occurs at or around the injection site.

Epirubicin may cause heart problems (eg, heart failure). These problems may occur during therapy or sometimes months to years after receiving Epirubicin. The risk may be increased if you are using certain medicines that may affect heart function (eg, trastuzumab), or have a history of heart problems, radiation treatment to the chest area, or previous therapy with other anthracyclines (eg, doxorubicin). The risk of developing heart problems varies depending on your dose and condition, although it can occur at any dose whether or not you are at risk. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; sudden, unexplained weight gain; or swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet.

Another type of cancer (acute myelogenous leukemia [AML]) has been reported in patients with breast cancer treated with anthracyclines, including Epirubicin. The risk of developing AML varies depending on your dose and other medicines. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

Epirubicin may cause bone marrow suppression. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop easy bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness or weakness, or signs of an infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat).

Epirubicin is used for:

Treating certain types of breast cancer following surgery. It may also be used to treat other cancers as determined by your doctor.

Epirubicin is an antineoplastic. It works by killing cancer cells. The exact way Epirubicin works is not fully understood.

Do NOT use Epirubicin if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Epirubicin or to similar medicines (eg, doxorubicin) you have severe heart failure, a severe irregular heartbeat, or recently had a heart attack you have severe liver disease you have taken or will be taking palifermin within 24 hours before or after using Epirubicin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Epirubicin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Epirubicin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances if you have liver or kidney problems, an infection, bone marrow problems (eg, low blood platelet levels, low white blood cell levels), or mouth or tongue sores or swelling (stomatitis) if you have a history of heart problems, radiation treatment, or if you have previously received Epirubicin or similar medicines (eg, doxorubicin, daunorubicin) if you are taking medicines that may affect heart function (eg, calcium channel blockers, trastuzumab). Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may affect heart function

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Epirubicin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem, verapamil) or trastuzumab because the risk of heart problems (eg, heart failure) may be increased Cimetidine, cyclosporine, docetaxel, paclitaxel, or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because they may increase the risk of Epirubicin's side effects Palifermin because if mouth or tongue sores develop, they may be more severe or last longer Carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), or valproic acid because their effectiveness may be decreased by Epirubicin Medicines that may harm the liver (eg, acetaminophen, methotrexate, ketoconazole, isoniazid, certain medicines for HIV infection) because the risk of Epirubicin's side effects may be increased. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the liver

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Epirubicin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Epirubicin:

Use Epirubicin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Epirubicin is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Ask your doctor any questions that you may have about Epirubicin. If nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite occurs, ask your doctor or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects. Do not take cimetidine while you are taking Epirubicin. If Epirubicin accidentally spills on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water for approximately 15 minutes. Contact your doctor as soon as possible. The use of protective clothing (eg, gloves, goggles, gowns) while handling Epirubicin is recommended. If you miss a dose of Epirubicin, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Epirubicin.

Important safety information: Urine may appear red for 1 to 2 days after administration of Epirubicin. This is to be expected. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Epirubicin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. Epirubicin may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools. Epirubicin may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. Epirubicin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Epirubicin. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Epirubicin. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine. Lab tests, including blood counts, liver and kidney function tests, and heart function tests, may be performed while you use Epirubicin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Use Epirubicin with caution in the ELDERLY, especially elderly women; they may be more sensitive to its effects. Epirubicin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. Caution is advised when using Epirubicin in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially heart problems (eg, heart failure). Epirubicin may damage sperm. Use effective birth control methods (eg, condoms) while using Epirubicin. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Women taking Epirubicin may develop absence of menstrual periods or early menopause. PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Epirubicin has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Epirubicin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Epirubicin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Epirubicin. Possible side effects of Epirubicin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Changes in menstrual periods; diarrhea; hair loss; hot flashes; nausea; skin changes; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); absence of menstrual cycle; black, tarry stools; blood in the urine or stools; burning, stinging, or pain during or after the injection of Epirubicin; chest pain; coughing up blood; facial flushing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent cough or sore throat; itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; redness or discharge of the eyes; shortness of breath; stomach pain or tenderness; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swelling or soreness of the mouth or tongue; symptoms of dehydration (eg, dry mouth or eyes, decreased urination, fast heartbeat, sluggishness, unusual thirst); tenderness, pain, redness, or swelling of an arm or leg; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Epirubicin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include black, tarry, or bloody stools; difficulty urinating; fast or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; stomach pain or tenderness; swelling or soreness of the mouth or tongue; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; vomiting.

Proper storage of Epirubicin:

Epirubicin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Epirubicin at home, store Epirubicin as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Epirubicin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Epirubicin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Epirubicin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Epirubicin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012 Database Edition 12.1.1.002 Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. More Epirubicin resources Epirubicin Side Effects (in more detail)Epirubicin Use in Pregnancy & BreastfeedingEpirubicin Drug InteractionsEpirubicin Support Group0 Reviews for Epirubicin - Add your own review/rating Epirubicin Prescribing Information (FDA) epirubicin Intravenous, Injection Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information Ellence Prescribing Information (FDA) Ellence Monograph (AHFS DI) Ellence Consumer Overview Compare Epirubicin with other medications Breast Cancer, Adjuvant

Epirubicin

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