Epirubicin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Ellence, Pharmorubicin PFS

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.

Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Bleeding, redness, or ulcers in mouth or throat; cough or hoarseness; fever or chills; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; pain or burning in mouth or throat; sores in mouth or on lips

Less common

Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; pinpoint red spots on skin; redness or discharge of the eye, eyelid, or lining of the eyelid; red streaks along injected vein; unusual bleeding or bruising

Rare

Darkening or redness of skin at place of irradiation; fast or irregular heartbeat; joint pain; pain, redness, or warmth at place of injection; skin rash or itching; swelling of abdomen, lower legs, and feet; swelling or tenderness of lymph nodes, abdomen, side or lower back; wheezing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Symptoms of overdose

Abdominal swelling or tenderness; black, tarry stools or blood in stools; difficulty in urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; high fever; shortness of breath; stomach pain; swelling of the lining of the mouth, nose or throat; vomiting

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

Lack of menstrual periods; nausea and vomiting

Less common

Diarrhea; hot flashes

Rare

Darkening of soles, palms, or nails; loss of appetite or weight loss

Epirubicin 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.

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

After you stop receiving epirubicin, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. 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 abdomen, 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 health care professional.