Epirubicin Hydrochloride, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: epirubicin hydrochloride, injection; Ellence

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (through a needle into a large vein) to treat primary breast cancer. It is usually given to people who have had surgery for breast cancer or have breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It may be used to treat other kinds of cancer.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by health care providers who are familiar with its use. They will watch you carefully for any serious side effects that this medicine may cause.

Sometimes your health care provider will prescribe an antibiotic for you to take by mouth during this treatment. Take it exactly as prescribed.

What should I watch out for?

You need to have blood tests regularly. Keep all your appointments for blood tests.

This medicine can cause nausea and vomiting. Your health care provider can prescribe a medicine to relieve severe nausea and vomiting.

If this medicine leaks from your veins into nearby tissue, it may stain your skin brown or cause pain or blisters. Discuss this with your health care provider.

Your hair may fall out during this treatment. It will grow back after the treatment is stopped.

This medicine may turn your urine red for a day or two after an infusion. This is not harmful.

Rarely, this medicine causes leukemia. Discuss this with your health care provider.

Males: This medicine may damage your sperm. Use condoms or other effective birth control during treatment with this medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Do not receive this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. Do not become pregnant or breast-feed during this treatment. Also, this medicine may cause your monthly periods to stop permanently. Discuss this with your health care provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Severe infection; high fever that continues; nausea; vomiting; swelling of feet, ankles, or legs; shortness of breath; bleeding.

Other: Temporary hair loss, diarrhea, tiredness, soreness and inflammation at the spot where the IV is given, mouth sores.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• cimetidine (Tagamet).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.