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|Epirubicin

Epirubicin

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 interfering with the growth of cancer cells, making it easier for the body to kill them. 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
• you have a decreased blood cell count from other cancer medicines or radiation treatment
• you have severe heart problems, abnormal heart rhythms, a history of heart insufficiency, or recently had a heart attack
• you have severe liver disease
• you have taken similar medicines (eg, anthracyclines) in the past

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, plan 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, heart problems, or an infection

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

• Cimetidine, cyclosporine, or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because side effects such as decreased ability to fight infections and decreased blood cell counts may occur
• Trastuzumab because side effects such as heart problems may occur
• Carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), or valproic acid because effectiveness of these medicines may be decreased

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.
• 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 gloves while handling Epirubicin is recommended.
• If you miss a dose of Epirubicin , contact your doctor immediately.

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.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Epirubicin .
• Epirubicin may reduce the number of blood cells that are needed for clotting. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations where bruising or injury may occur.
• Epirubicin may lower your body"s ability to fight infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Notify your doctor of any signs of infection including fever, sore throat, rashes, or chills. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first.
• Check with your doctor before having immunizations (vaccinations).
• LAB TESTS, including blood counts and liver function tests, will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Epirubicin is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• Epirubicin may damage sperm. Use effective birth control methods (eg, condoms) while using Epirubicin .
• 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 human fetus. Do not become pregnant while using Epirubicin . If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Epirubicin during pregnancy. It is unknown if Epirubicin is excreted 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; loss of appetite; nausea; red-colored urine; skin changes; tiredness.

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 ; chills; cough; dehydration; facial flushing; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; joint pain; itching; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; redness or discharge of the eyes; shortness of breath; stomach pain or tenderness; sore throat; sores on the mouth, nose, or lips; swelling of the ankles or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include black, tarry stools; bloody stools; difficulty urinating; fast or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; stomach pain or tenderness; vomiting.

Store Epirubicin as directed on the prescription label. 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.

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.