Dexrazoxane

Contents: 250mg/Dexrazoxane (injections)

Side effects: Pain at the injection site may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding. Very rarely, people with cancer who have been treated with this medication have developed other cancers (such as leukemia, lymphoma). Consult your doctor for more details. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Administration:
This medication is usually given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. When this medication is used to reduce the risk and severity of heart damage, the doxorubicindose is usually given within 30 minutes after the start of the dexrazoxane infusion. If skin contact should occur, wash the area with plenty of soap and water. If irritation occurs, contact your doctor right away. Heart damage may occur at any time with doxorubicin treatment, even years after the end of your doxorubicin treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of heart damage such as sudden nighttime shortness of breath, difficulty breathing while lying down, or shortness of breath when active.

Details: Dexrazoxane is used to reduce the risk and severity of heart damage caused by doxorubicintreatment and similar cancer chemotherapy medications. Heart damage limits the length of time you can be treated with doxorubicin. Dexrazoxane allows you to continue doxorubicin treatment for longer. When used for this purpose, dexrazoxane treatment is usually started after you have received several doses of doxorubicin. It is usually not given with the first doses of doxorubicin since doing so may reduce the effectiveness of doxorubicin.