Epirubicin Medac
Epirubicin medac is a cancer medicine that uses a substance called epirubicin hydrochloride to kill cancer cells.
Form
injektioneste, liuos
Strength
2 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Epirubicin hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Medac Gesellschaft Für Klinische Spezialpräparate mbH
How to Use
Dosage
The usual dose is 60-90 mg per square meter of body surface area; for small-cell lung cancer, a higher dose of 120 mg per square meter may be given.
Method
This medicine is given as an injection into a vein over 3-5 minutes, or as a drip (infusion) for up to 30 minutes, typically every three weeks.
Important
This medicine is not taken daily; the dose is given every three weeks as advised by your doctor.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Infection
- •Low blood cell counts (white cells, red cells, platelets), which can lead to fever (fever with low white cells).
- •Inflammation of mucous membranes (e.g., in mouth, stomach, gut), with symptoms like mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and stomach pain.
- •Hair loss (usually temporary)
- •Red-colored urine for 1-2 days after treatment
- •Missed periods
- •Eye inflammation (conjunctivitis, keratitis)
- •Hot flashes
- •Skin lesions
- •Vein inflammation (phlebitis)
- •Feeling unwell (malaise), fever
- •Changes in liver enzyme levels
- •Bladder infection (chemical cystitis), sometimes with blood in urine (after bladder administration)
- •Dehydration
- •Heart problems such as heart failure, shortness of breath, swelling in legs, enlarged liver, fluid in abdomen or lungs, or an abnormal heart sound.
- •Local skin reactions at the injection site (rash, itching, increased skin and nail discoloration, other skin changes).
- •Redness along the vein (erythema at the infusion site)
- •Bleeding
- •Skin redness
- •Chills
- •Lack of appetite
- •Heart function changes without symptoms (e.g., reduced pumping function of the left ventricle).
- •Life-threatening irregular heartbeats (fast heartbeat, slow heartbeat, problems with heart's electrical system).
- •Bacterial bladder infection (pain or burning during urination, blood in urine, frequent urination after bladder administration).
- •Gastrointestinal ulcers, stomach erosions and lesions, gastrointestinal bleeding, chest pain behind breastbone, esophageal inflammation causing indigestion and difficulty swallowing, gastrointestinal pain or burning sensation, inflammation of the mouth lining with burning sensation and pain.
RARE
- •Certain types of blood cancer (acute leukemia)
- •Blood poisoning (sepsis), lung infection (pneumonia)
- •Weakness
- •Blood clots blocking blood vessels (e.g., in arms, legs, or lungs causing chest pain and shortness of breath).
- •Sudden, severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) with symptoms like rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other body parts, shortness of breath, or wheezing.
- •High levels of uric acid in the blood
- •Dizziness
- •Heart damage, such as abnormal ECG readings, different types of irregular heartbeats, or heart muscle disease.
- •Lack of sperm in semen
- •Life-threatening low blood pressure (septi c shock or shock)
- •Lack of oxygen to tissues due to low blood cell production in the bone marrow
- •Thickening of vein walls, local pain, severe cellulitis (inflammation under the skin).
- •Darkening of the mouth lining
- •Increased sensitivity to light (photosensitivity), increased skin sensitivity to radiation (radiation dermatitis).
- •Severe tissue damage if the injection fluid leaks outside the vein.
- •Headache
- •Pain
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to epirubicin hydrochloride, other ingredients, or similar cancer drugs (anthracyclines, anthracenediones).
- Do not use if your bone marrow's ability to make blood cells is permanently low due to previous cancer treatment or radiation.
- Do not use if you have already received the maximum safe lifetime dose of epirubicin or similar drugs.
- Do not use if you have or have had heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or a recent heart attack.
- Do not use if you have severe liver problems or a widespread infection throughout your body.
Show 11 more warnings
- Do not use if you are breastfeeding, as the medicine can harm the baby. Stop breastfeeding during treatment and for at least 7 days after the last dose.
- Do not use if you have a severe inflammation in your mouth lining or stomach.
- If the medicine is given directly into the bladder, do not use if you have a urinary tract infection, a tumor growing through the bladder wall, difficulty inserting a catheter, blood in your urine, or a contracted bladder.
- Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
- Tell your doctor if you feel discomfort at the injection site during the infusion, as the medicine might leak into surrounding tissues.
- Tell your doctor if your white blood cell, red blood cell, or platelet counts are low.
- Tell your doctor if you have inflammation or sores in your mouth or on your mouth lining.
- Tell your doctor if you have previously had radiation therapy to your chest or have taken other medicines that can harm the heart.
- Tell your doctor if you have recently been vaccinated or plan to get a vaccine soon.
- Tell your doctor if you have previously received trastuzumab (another cancer medicine), as there should be at least 7 months between stopping trastuzumab and starting epirubicin due to potential heart effects.
- This medicine can cause birth defects. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor. You and your partner should use reliable contraception during and for a period after treatment (7 months for women, 4 months for men).