It is an often-used medication for breast cancer treatment, typically given in combination with other chemotherapy medications.
Red Devil Chemo and Breast Cancer
Adriamycin is particularly effective in treating breast cancer.
Breast cancer cells are formerly healthy breast cells that have developed bad DNA.
FatCamera / Getty Images
It is commonly used:
Adriamycin is often combined with other chemotherapy medications to treat breast cancer.
In cases where adriamycin is effective against cancer cells, it will shrink cancerous tumors.
Other cancers Adriamycin can treat include:
Dosage and Administration
Adriamycin is given by injection.
The drug is red in color and comes in a syringe, which will attach to catheter tubing.
The infusion nurse will slowly push on the syringe’s plunger to administer the chemotherapy into the vein.
If you or your partner becomes pregnant, tell your healthcare provider right away.
Planning a Family?
It is important to discuss everything you’re takingincluding over-the-counter drugs and nutritional supplementswith your healthcare provider.
It never hurts to double-check with your pharmacist either.
This baseline exam will be used to compare your heart function during and after treatment.
Other tests for kidney and liver function may also be needed.
Killed vaccines don’t pose this risk, but chemotherapy may render them ineffective.
Speak to your oncologist about whether one might still be recommended for you.
It can also be used to treat other cancers, such as ovarian cancer, sarcoma, and neuroblastoma.
Side effects of Adriamycin include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores, and fatigue.
Breastcancer.org.Adriamycin: What to Expect, Side Effects, and More.
National Cancer Institute.Doxorubicin Hydrochloride.
City of Hope.Does doxorubicin deserve its red devil reputation?
National Cancer Institute, “Doxorubicin Hydrochloride.”
2014 Oct;53(10):1440-5. doi: 10.3109/0284186X.2014.921727.
