What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving doxorubicin?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to doxorubicin or similar medications (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone), or if you have:
- very low blood cell counts caused by chemotherapy you received in the past;
- severe liver disease;
- severe heart problems; or
- if you have recently had a heart attack.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- severe liver disease;
- heart disease or heart failure; or
- radiation treatment to your chest.
Tell your doctor about all other cancer medicines or radiation treatments you have received in the past.
Using doxorubicin may increase your risk of developing a bone marrow disease or other types of leukemia later in life. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Doxorubicin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or father is using this medicine.
Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using doxorubicin.
This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because doxorubicin can harm an unborn baby.
Doxorubicin may also cause early menopause, depending on your age when you receive this medicine. Ask your doctor about this risk.
You should not breastfeed while you are using doxorubicin.