- Anemia: low red blood cell counts
- Anthracycline: a type of chemotherapy used to treat many types of cancer. Anthracyclines damage the DNA in cancer cells, causing them to die
- Bolus: a single injection of medication over a short period of time
- Bone marrow: a soft, sponge-like tissue in the center of most bones that produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
- Bortezomib: a drug used to treat multiple myeloma. Also called VELCADE®
- Cardiac: related to the heart
- Chemotherapy: a type of cancer treatment to treat or control cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used in addition to surgery or radiation to treat cancer when it first appears, when it has spread, when it has come back (recurred), or when there is a strong chance that it could recur
- DOXIL®: a chemotherapy drug; a different form of doxorubicin (an anthracycline) that has 2 layers of protective coating
- Doxorubicin: a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain types of cancer
- Hand-foot syndrome: a skin irritation that appears on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet as redness, swelling, rash, pain, tingling or burning sensation, or peeling skin
- Immune system: the group of organs and cells in the body that defend it against infections and other diseases
- Inflammation: swelling in response to injury or disease
- Infusion: a method of putting fluids, including medications, into the bloodstream
- Intravenous: into or within a vein. Intravenous usually refers to a way of giving a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. Also called IV
- Metastatic therapy: treatment given after cancer spreads to other parts of the body
- Multiple myeloma: a form of cancer that starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell
- Neutropenia: low white blood cell counts
- Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia: See hand-foot syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy: damage to any nerve connecting the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to another part of the body. Symptoms range from loss of feeling, pain, and even paralysis
- Plasma cells: a type of white blood cell that makes large amounts of a specific antibody
- Platelets: cells found in the blood that help wounds heal and prevent bleeding by forming blood clots
- Red blood cell: a cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body
- Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: when multiple myeloma returns, after a patient has responded to treatment, or if the multiple myeloma gets worse within 60 days of a patient’s last treatment, or when multiple myeloma worsens while on therapy
- Side effect: a problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissue or organs
- Stomatitis: mouth discomfort, including inflammation or sores in the mouth area
- Thrombocytopenia: low platelet counts
- Treatment cycle: one course of treatment
- VELCADE: a medication used to treat multiple myeloma. Also called bortezomib
- White blood cell: a type of immune response cell. White blood cells help the body fight infections and other diseases
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Glossary
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Serious and possibly permanent heart-related side effects that may lead to congestive heart failure can occur in patients treated with DOXIL®. Inform your doctor of any history of heart disease, radiation to your chest, or prior chemotherapy. Your doctor may monitor your heart function.
Infusion reactions may also occur during administration. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any symptoms during infusion, including: flushing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, headaches, chills, back pain, tightness in your chest or throat, dizziness, or lightheadedness. For most patients, these reactions have resolved within several hours to a day once the infusion is stopped, or for some patients with slowing of the infusion rate. However, in some cases, these reactions may be serious and sometimes life threatening, though they are rarely fatal.
DOXIL® may severely reduce the number of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) in your body. Your doctor may adjust or delay your dose of DOXIL® if this occurs.
Your doctor may adjust your dose of DOXIL® if you have liver problems.
You should not take DOXIL® if you are nursing. If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor.
You should not take DOXIL® if you are allergic to doxorubicin HCl or the components of DOXIL®.
The most common side effects of DOXIL® are:
- Hand-Foot Syndrome (HFS): Tingling or burning, redness, flaking, bothersome swelling, small blisters, or small sores on palms of hands or soles of feet
- Stomatitis: Painful redness, swelling, or sores in the mouth
- Fever: A fever of 100.5°F or higher
- Neutropenia: Low white blood cell count
- Nausea, vomiting, tiredness, weakness, rash, shortness of breath, or mild hair loss
In addition, you may experience loss of appetite, constipation, nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), or diarrhea. Be sure to tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these or other symptoms.
DOXIL® may make the side effects of other anticancer therapies worse when used in combination.
Following administration, DOXIL® may turn urine and other bodily fluids a reddish-orange color. This is due to the color of DOXIL® and will go away as the drug leaves the body.
DOXIL® is a prescription drug.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
Please talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any additional questions regarding DOXIL®.
Please see full Product Information for more details.
VELCADE® is a registered trademark of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
INDICATION
DOXIL® is used with VELCADE® (bortezomib) to treat patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy (other than VELCADE®).
DOXIL® is administered intravenously by your healthcare professional.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 - 14:02
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