Doxorubicin, Liposomal (Systemic)

Brand Names : Doxil, Caelyx

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common-in any treatment group

Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; chills; cough or hoarseness; facial swelling; fever ; headache; loss of strength and energy; low blood pressure; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; pinpoint red spots on skin; shortness of breath; sore throat; sores in mouth and on lips; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common-in any treatment group

Skin rash or itching

Rare-in any treatment group

Yellowing of the eyes and skin

Less common - for patients being treated for Kaposi's sarcoma

Cough; darkening or redness of skin; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; pain at place of injection ; reddening of skin; scaling of skin on hands and feet; shortness of breath; swelling of the feet and lower legs; swelling of skin; troubled breathing; ulceration of skin; wheezing

Rare - for patients being treated for Kaposi's sarcoma

Blurred or loss of vision; eye pain; flushed, dry skin; frequent urination; fruit-like breath odor; unusual thirst

More common - for patients being treated for ovarian cancer

Reddening of skin; scaling of skin on hands and feet; swelling of skin; ulceration of skin

Less common - for patients being treated for ovarian cancer

Chest pain; decreased urination; rapid weight gain; bloating or swelling of face, hands, lower legs, and/or feet; fever or chills; cough or hoarseness; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination

Rare - for patients being treated for ovarian cancer

Cough; difficulty swallowing; fast or irregular heartbeat; hives; pain at place of injection ; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue; shortness of breath; swelling of the feet and lower legs; tightness in chest; wheezing

Symptoms of overdose

Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; cough or hoarseness accompanied by fever or chills; fever or chills; lower back or side pain accompanied by fever or chills; painful or difficult urination accompanied by fever or chills; pinpoint red spots on skin; sores in mouth and on lips; unusual bleeding or bruising

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common-in any treatment group

Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting

Less common-in any treatment group

Back pain; difficulty swallowing; dizziness

More common - for patients being treated for Kaposi's sarcoma

Less common - for patients being treated for Kaposi's sarcoma

More common - for patients being treated for ovarian cancer

Less common - for patients being treated for ovarian cancer

Rare - for patients being treated for ovarian cancer

Liposomal doxorubicin causes the urine to turn reddish in color, which may stain clothes. This is not blood. It is to be expected and only lasts for 1 or 2 days after each dose is given.

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common - for patients being treated for ovarian cancer

Dry skin

Less common - for patients being treated for ovarian cancer

Change in skin color

This medicine often causes a temporary and total loss of hair. After treatment with liposomal doxorubicin has ended, normal hair growth should return.

After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicine you were using and how long you used it. During this period of time, check with your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following side effects:

Fast or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; swelling of feet and lower legs

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.