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DOXIL (doxorubicin HCl liposome injection)When ovarian cancer returns, turn to DOXIL

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Prescribing Information

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Indications:

  • DOXIL is indicated for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer whose disease has progressed or recurred after prior platinum-based therapy.

Important Safety Information
BOXED WARNINGS: Cardiotoxicity, infusion reaction, myelosuppression, liver impairment, substitution

  • The use of DOXIL may lead to cardiac toxicity. Myocardial damage may lead to congestive heart failure and may occur as the total cumulative dose of doxorubicin HCl approaches 550mg/m2
  •   — Prior use of other anthracyclines or anthracenediones should be included in calculations of total cumulative dose.
      — Cardiac toxicity may also occur at lower cumulative doses (400 mg/m2) in patients with prior mediastinal irradiation or who are receiving concurrent cyclophosphamide therapy
  • Acute infusion-related reactions including, but not limited to, flushing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, headache, chills, back pain, tightness in the chest or throat, and/or hypotension have occurred in up to 10% of patients treated with DOXIL. In most patients, these reactions have resolved within several hours to a day once the infusion is terminated. In some patients, reactions resolved with slowing of the infusion rate
  •   — Serious and sometimes life-threatening or fatal allergic/anaphylactoid-like infusion reactions have occurred. Medications to treat such reactions, as well as emergency equipment, should be available for immediate use
      — The initial rate of infusion should be 1mg/min to minimize the risk of infusion reactions.
  • Severe myelosuppression may occur.
  • DOXIL dosage should be reduced in patients with impaired hepatic function.
  • Accidental substitution has resulted in severe side effects. Do not substitute for doxorubicin HCl on a mg per mg basis.

Contraindiction

  • Patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to a conventional doxorubicin formulation or the components of DOXIL
  • Nursing mothers

Additional Safety Information

  • Cardiac function should be carefully monitored.
  •   — Congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy may occur after discontinuation of anthracycline therapy
      — For patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, or if the results of cardiac monitoring indicate possible cardiac injury, the benefit of therapy must be weighed against the risk of myocardial injury
  • Myelosuppression may occur; frequently monitor complete blood count (including platelet count), at least prior to each dose of DOXIL
  •   — In patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, hematologic toxicity (based on platelet count or absolute neutrophil count) may require dose reduction or delay in administration of DOXIL
      — Persistent severe myelosuppression may result in superinfection, neutropenic fever, or hemorrhage
      — Sepsis occurring during neutropenia has resulted in discontinuation of treatment and in rare cases of death
  • DOXIL may potentiate the toxicity of other anticancer therapies, especially hematologic toxicities, when used in combination with other therapies that suppress bone marrow
  • Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) may occur during therapy with DOXIL
  •   — Based on HFS toxicity grade, dose reduction, delay in administration, or discontinuation of DOXIL may be required
      — HFS was generally observed after 2 to 3 cycles of treatment, but may occur earlier
         The reaction was mild in most patients, resolving in 1 to 2 weeks
         The reaction can be severe and debilitating in some patients, resulting in    discontinuation of therapy
  • DOXIL is an irritant, not a vesicant; ; use precautions to avoid extravasation
  • DOXIL can cause fetal harm when used during pregnancy
  • Recall reaction has occurred with DOXIL administration after radiotherapy
  • DOXIL may interact with drugs known to interact with the conventional formulation of doxorubicin HCl
  • In patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, the most common all-grade adverse reactions (ARs) ≥ 20% (DOXIL vs topotecan, respectively) included: asthenia (40% vs 51%), fever (21% vs 31%), nausea (46% vs 63%), stomatitis (41% vs 15%), vomiting (33% vs 44%), diarrhea (21% vs 35%), anorexia (20% vs 22%), dyspnea (15% vs 23%), HFS (51% vs 1%), and rash (29% vs 12%)
  •   — In addition, 19% vs 52.3% reported alopecia (all grades)
      — Grade 3/4 hematologic ARs reported in ≥ 5% (DOXIL vs topotecan, respectively) were neutropenia (12% vs 76%) and anemia (6% vs 29%)

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS