Adriamycin (Doxorubicin Hydrochloride)

It is given as a drip or infusion vein with extreme caution by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. It makes contraceptive pills less effective, so it advised to both male and female to use reliable contraception during the treatment.

The most common side effects of this medicine include vomiting, allergic reaction, nausea, mouth sore, and hair loss.  If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. It is known to reduce the number of blood cells in your blood thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Infections can sometimes be life-threatening. Regular blood tests are required to monitor your blood cells along with the kidney, liver, and heart function during treatment with this medicine.

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have severe liver or heart-related problems, or if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding.  Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works.