Lipodox 50
Generic name: Doxorubicin (Liposomal) [ doks-oh-ROO-bi-sin-lye-po-SO-mal ]
Brand names: Doxil, Lipodox 50
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 15, 2024.
The Lipodox 50 brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.
Warning
- This medicine may cause severe heart problems like heart failure. This can happen during treatment or years after your last dose. Sometimes, these problems will not go away or may be deadly. The chance may be higher if you have ever had heart problems or chest area radiation, or are using other drugs that may cause heart problems. The chance may be higher if you have ever had Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) or other drugs like this one. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your drugs may cause heart problems. The chance of heart problems depends on the dose of this drug and your health problem. In children, the chance of heart problems later in life is higher. Heart problems may happen even without any risk factors. Call your doctor right away if you have cough, fast or slow heartbeat, abnormal heartbeat, swelling in the arms or legs, shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, or feel very tired or weak.
- Side effects like flushing, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the face, headache, chills, back pain, chest pain, chest or throat tightness, fever, fast heartbeat, itching, blue or gray skin, very bad dizziness, or passing out have happened with Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) during the infusion. Most of the time, these side effects happen with the first infusion and go away within a few hours to a day after the infusion is stopped. Sometimes, these reactions have been very bad and even life-threatening or deadly. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these signs.
Uses of Lipodox 50:
- It is used to treat cancer.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Lipodox 50?
- If you have an allergy to doxorubicin or any other part of Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)).
- If you are allergic to Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)); any part of Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)).
This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Lipodox 50?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- You will need to have heart function tests while taking Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)). Talk with the doctor.
- You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
- You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
- If you have upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or are not hungry, talk with your doctor. There may be ways to lower these side effects.
- To help with mouth sores, use a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinse the mouth. Do not use mouth rinses that have alcohol in them.
- If you have had daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, or mitoxantrone before, talk with your doctor.
- Cases of mouth cancer have happened in people who have used Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) long-term (more than 1 year). These cancers have happened during treatment and up to 6 years after the last dose. Your doctor will check your mouth while you take Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)). Call your doctor right away if you have mouth pain, sores, or ulcers.
- Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
- This medicine may affect fertility. Fertility problems may lead to not being able to get pregnant or father a child. In both men and women, this may go back to normal but sometimes it may not. Talk with your doctor.
- Periods may stop in women treated with Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)). This may not go back to normal. Women treated with Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) may go through menopause at a younger age than normal. Talk with your doctor.
- This medicine may cause harm to an unborn baby. A pregnancy test will be done before you start Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) to show that you are NOT pregnant.
- Women must use birth control while taking Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.
- Men with a partner who may get pregnant must use birth control while taking Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If your partner gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.
How is this medicine (Lipodox 50) best taken?
Use Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
- Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Redness or irritation of the palms of hands or soles of feet.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- Blood clots in the lungs have happened with Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)). Blood clots in the lungs may be very bad or life-threatening. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain or pressure, coughing up blood, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, or shortness of breath.
- This medicine may irritate the vein. If the drug leaks from the vein, it may also cause irritation around that area. Tell your nurse if you have any redness, burning, pain, swelling, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your body.
What are some other side effects of Lipodox 50?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or feeling less hungry.
- Back pain.
- Headache.
- Hair loss.
- Throat irritation.
- Weight loss.
- Urine and other body fluids may change to an orange or red color. This is normal.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Lipodox 50?
- If you need to store Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Lipodox 50 (doxorubicin (liposomal)), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
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