Precautions and warnings

Patients who have had a lot of radiation therapy, have cancer spreading into their bones, or have serious kidney or liver problems need special care. This treatment can cause tumor lysis syndrome or a reaction called radiation recall. Elderly women over 70, people with heart disease, or those with high blood pressure affecting the heart should have their blood and heart monitored regularly. If the medicine leaks outside the vein during IV administration, it can cause severe tissue damage. Do not give this medicine by intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) injection, as this can also cause serious tissue damage if leakage occurs.

Drug Interactions

Paclitaxel and other anthracyclines, such as certain chemotherapy drugs, as well as medications like cimetidine and heparin, can affect the body in different ways. Some of these drugs are used to treat cancer (antineoplastic drugs) or may have toxic effects on the heart (cardiotoxic drugs), while others can impact the liver (hepatoactive drugs). Radiation treatment can also have similar effects.

Contraindications

Heart problems, recent or serious heart attacks, or if you’ve already had the full lifetime dose of anthracyclines. Allergies to this medicine; severe liver problems. Do not use inside the bladder if the tumor has invaded the bladder wall, if you have a urinary infection, bladder inflammation, or any issues with a catheter. Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Mode of actions

Epirubicin is a type of anthracycline that kills cancer cells. It works by slipping between the base pairs of DNA, blocking the process of making DNA and RNA. This action also causes the DNA to be cut by an enzyme called topoisomerase II. Epirubicin also stops another enzyme, DNA helicase, and creates harmful free radicals that damage cells.

Once given, epirubicin quickly spreads throughout the body and enters various tissues.

Dosage & Administration

Adult: IV Acute leukaemias; Lymphoma; Multiple myeloma; Solid tumours As a single agent: 60-90 mg/m2 3-4 wkly. Max (total cumulative dose): 0.9-1 g/m2.
Palliative care: 12.5-25 mg/m2 once wkly.

Adjuvant treatment in axillary-node positive breast cancer Recommended starting doses: 100-120 mg/m2 as a single dose on day 1 or as 2 divided doses on days 1 and 8 of each 28-day cycle. Repeat for 6 cycles.
Intravesical Local treatment of bladder carcinoma As 0.1% soln: 50 mg/wk for 8 wk; reduce dose if chemical cystitis develops.

For carcinoma in-situ: 80 mg in 50 mL wkly. For prevention of recurrence in patients who have undergone transurethral resection: 50 mg/wk for 4 wk, followed by 50 mg/mth for 11 mth; retain soln in the bladder for 1 hr during each administration.

Pregnancy & Lactation

This medicine is not allowed during pregnancy. Do not use it if you are pregnant. It can be absorbed through the skin and lungs caused can damage your unborn child’s organs and cause congenital disabilities. Strict effective birth control during treatment and for six months after stopping this medicine. If you do become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and discuss your doctor right away.

There is no specific information on whether this medicine passes into breast milk or not. Considering the possible risks for the children, breastfeeding while using this medicine is not recommended and at least two weeks after the last dose. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Pack Size & Price