Dexrazoxane
About Dexrazoxane
Dexrazoxane belongs to the class of cardioprotective agents. It is used to reduce the incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy associated with Doxorubicin administration at a cumulative dose of 300 mg/m2 in metastatic breast cancer patients. It should not be used with Doxorubicin initiation to prevent heart damage.
Dexrazoxane contains Dexrazoxane, which belongs to the class of cardioprotective agents. It helps reduce the incidence of cardiomyopathy in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Dexrazoxane may cause certain side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, fever, pain at the site of injection, and diarrhea. Inform your doctor if any of these side effects persist for longer. Dexrazoxane will be infused for over 15 minutes by a trained healthcare professional in the hospital. It should not be administered by an IV push.
Avoid receiving Dexrazoxane and inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other components of it. Before taking Dexrazoxane, tell your doctor if you have or have had liver or kidney disease, cardiac problems, skin disorders, or cancer. This medicine is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, it is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Avoid breastfeeding while on treatment with this Dexrazoxane.
Uses of Dexrazoxane
Medicinal Benefits
Dexrazoxane contains Dexrazoxane, a cytotoxic medicine that detoxifies the reactive metabolites of alkylating agents. It is used to protect the heart from cardiomyopathy associated with the administration of doxorubicin in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dexrazoxane
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain at the site of injection
- Allergic reactions
- Injection site reactions
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
- Anorexia
- Hair fall
- Fatigue
Drug Warnings
To treat your condition effectively, continue receiving Dexrazoxane for the period that your doctor has prescribed. Dexrazoxane may cause severe cutaneous reactions, myelosuppression, cardiac toxicity, and secondary malignancies. Therefore, caution should be exercised if you have or had liver or kidney disease, heart problems, and skin disorders while receiving Dexrazoxane. This medicine may also cause severe hypersensitivity reactions. Hence, careful monitoring is recommended, and the treatment should be discontinued if any severe allergic reactions occur. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant before starting the treatment, as this medicine is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Breastfeeding should be discontinued in nursing mothers during the treatment as it passes into breast milk and may cause a possible risk to the infant. This medicine is not recommended for use in children as its safety and efficacy are not established. This medicine is only intended for use in women.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Dexrazoxane may have interactions with live vaccines, vitamins, other medicines, and herbal supplements.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions were found.
Dug-Disease Interactions: Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, heart problems, hypotension, skin disorders, or hypocalcaemia before starting the treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Dexrazoxane interacts with alcohol. Consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
unsafeDexrazoxane is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may cause embryo-fetal toxicity and harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant, inform your doctor before receiving Dexrazoxane. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving Dexrazoxane. Using effective birth control methods while on treatment and for 6 months after the last dose, is suggested.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDexrazoxane should not be taken if you are breastfeeding, as it passes into breast milk and may harm your infant. Avoid nursing your child while on treatment and for two weeks after the last dose of this medicine.
Driving
cautionDexrazoxane will be administered to hospitalized patients. Driving is not recommended.
Liver
cautionIf you have pre-existing or a history of liver problems, tell your doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney diseases, inform your doctor before receiving Dexrazoxane. Tell your doctor if you have little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, or blood in your urine. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine based on your condition.
Children
unsafeDexrazoxane is not recommended for use in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Physical activity helps strengthen muscles, reduces fatigue, helps in weight loss, and gives strength. Gentle activities like 20-30 minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Getting adequate sleep while resting helps improve your health and mental ability and improves attention.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath, or listening to soothing music.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants, such as berries, spinach, etc.
- Foods containing fiber help with digestion. These include beans, peas, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may suggest periodic blood tests to monitor the function of the kidney and cardiac due to the use of Dexrazoxane.
- Using contraceptive pills while using Dexrazoxane to prevent pregnancy is advised.
- Regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended during the treatment course to check for any changes in cardiovascular events.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is a type of cancer with abnormal growth in the cells of the breast. There are different kinds of breast cancer, such as cancer occurring in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), and in the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, breast pain, redness, swelling, nipple discharge other than breast milk, bloody discharge, a lump or swelling under the arm, unexplained change in shape, size or appearance of the breast, peeling, flaking or scaling of the skin.
Cardiomyopathy: It is a chronic condition that affects the heart muscle and makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Symptoms may include chest pain, rapid, pounding or fluttering heartbeat, swelling of legs, and shortness of heartbeat.
FAQs
Dexrazoxane is used to reduce the severity of cardiomyopathy in metastatic breast Cancer patients.
Dexrazoxane contains Dexrazoxane, which protects the heart muscles from cardiomyopathy in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The symptoms of overdose may include sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection, unusual bruising or bleeding, pale skin, shortness of breath, and excessive tiredness. If you notice these symptoms seek emergency medical help.