Adriamycin PFS Side Effects

Generic name: doxorubicin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 30, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about doxorubicin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Adriamycin PFS.

Applies to doxorubicin: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of Adriamycin PFS

Along with its needed effects, doxorubicin (the active ingredient contained in Adriamycin PFS) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking doxorubicin:

Less common

• Cough or hoarseness accompanied by fever or chills
• darkening or redness of the skin (if you recently had radiation treatment)
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• fever or chills
• joint pain
• lower back or side pain accompanied by fever or chills
• pain at the injection site
• painful or difficult urination accompanied by fever or chills
• red streaks along the injected vein
• shortness of breath
• stomach pain
• swelling of the feet and lower legs

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Other side effects of Adriamycin PFS

Some side effects of doxorubicin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Hair loss, thinning of hair
• nausea and vomiting
• sores in the mouth and on the lips

Less common

• Darkening of the soles, palms, or nails
• diarrhea

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• shortness of breath
• swelling of the feet and lower legs

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to doxorubicin: compounding powder, intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Cardiomyopathy, decreased LVEF, ECG changes (e.g., sinus tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, bundle branch block), congestive heart failure

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pericarditis, myocarditis

Postmarketing reports: Cardiogenic shock, phlebosclerosis, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, hot flashes, thromboembolism^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Leucopenia (60% to 80%)

Common (1% to 10%): Bone marrow suppression

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Alopecia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Urticaria, exanthema, local erythematous reactions along the vein which was used for the injection, hyperpigmentation of skin and nails, onycholysis

Postmarketing reports: Oncolysis, rash, itching, photosensitivity, urticaria, acral erythema, palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea and vomiting (20% to 85%), stomatitis (up to 80%), diarrhea (12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Mucositis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ulceration and necrosis of the colon, especially the cecum (in combination with cytarabine)^[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Extravasation, tissue necrosis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reactions^[Ref]

Renal

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Renal insufficiency^[Ref]

Other

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Shivering, fever

Frequency not reported: Radiation recall

Postmarketing reports: Malaise, asthenia, fever, chills^[Ref]

Oncologic

Common (1% to 10%): Secondary malignancies^[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Conjunctivitis

Postmarketing reports: Keratitis, lacrimation^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Local reactions (chemical cystitis) may occur with intravesical treatment

Rare (less than 0.1%): Bladder contracture

Frequency not reported: Amenorrhea^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia

Frequency not reported: Hyperuricemia, tumor lysis syndrome

Postmarketing reports: Weight gain^[Ref]

Hepatic

Postmarketing reports: Increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea

Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough, epistaxis, pneumonia, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection^[Ref]

Nervous system

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dizziness

Postmarketing reports: Peripheral sensory and motor neuropathy, seizures, coma^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

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• What are the long-term side effects of Adriamycin?
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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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