Table of Contents
What Is Epirubicin?
Epirubicin is an injection given in case of breast cancer along with other cancer medicines. It helps treat breast cancer patients who have had surgery to remove the tumor. These medicines belong to the antineoplastic group. These act by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, and they are gradually destroyed. Epirubicin injection is administered intravenously by your doctor.
Along with cancer cells, some of the healthy cells may also be affected. This may cause unwanted effects on the body. Serious effects should be reported to the doctor and addressed. The hair loss effect of the drug may not be serious, but it is a concern. Some effects may not happen until months or years.
Epirubicin is available in solution form. Before deciding to go for this chemo medication, its benefits and risks should be weighed. This decision is made by the patient and the doctor. Before using this medicine, one should consider whether the patient has an allergy to the drug or any other medication, whether it is to be used in children, and whether it provides a good response in elderly individuals.
How Epirubicin Works?
Epirubicin, when used, kills cancer cells. These medicines achieve this result by preventing them from dividing and growing. It acts in many ways. These are:
- It forms complexes with nucleic acids, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which can damage DNA structure.
- It also acts by inhibiting an enzyme called topoisomerase II. This enzyme is responsible for unwinding and rejoining of DNA during cell division. When Epirubicin inhibits this enzyme, it prevents DNA repair, leading to cell death.
- Epirubicin acts by inhibiting the copying of DNA and the making of RNA (ribonucleic acid) by inhibiting another enzyme that is needed to unwind DNA.
As a result of Epirubicin's actions, the cancer cells cannot synthesize the protein needed for their survival. Hence, they stop growing and die.
What Are the Approved Uses and Indications?
Epirubicin is mainly used for breast cancer along with other drugs as adjuvant therapy. This is mainly used for those patients who exhibit cancer spread to the lymph nodes of the armpit following surgery of the primary breast cancer.
It is also indicated in other cancers, too. These include:
- Colorectal cancers.
- Hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
- Non-small cell lung carcinoma.
- Ovarian cancer.
- Stomach tumor.
- Small-cell lung cancer.
- In breast cancer as adjunct therapy in stage 2 breast cancer and in stage 3 breast cancer.
What Are the Side Effects of Epirubicin?
Epirubicin is a chemotherapy or cancer-treating drug that has needed effects and unwanted effects as well. Side effects of this drug may be more, but not all of them may occur. If any of these side effects cause serious effects, they should be addressed with medical help.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Mouth and throat sores.
- Pain in the stomach.
- Loose motion.
- Decrease in weight or decreased appetite.
- Feeling severe fatigue or weakness.
- Loss of hair.
- Feeling hot flashes.
- Red-colored urine after the dose for one to two days.
- Eyes become red and painful.
- Nails and skin get darkened.
- Chest pain.
Warnings
If you get any of the following Epirubicin side effects, if they are serious, or if they do not go away, seek medical help immediately:
- Skin becomes pale.
- Experience fainting.
- Feel dizzy.
- Experience rashes and hives.
- Get itching after the dose.
- Find difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
Sometimes overdosing on the drug may cause side effects. These include:
- Signs of infection, such as fever, sore throat, chills, and others.
- Sore throat or mouth.
- Bleeding at unusual sites or bruising.
- Black stools.
- If you notice red blood in the stool.
- Blood in the vomit.
- If you find coffee grounds in your vomit.
What Precautions Should Be Taken Before Taking Epirubicin?
The following precautions should be taken before taking Epirubicin.
- If you are allergic to Epirubicin or any of its ingredients. Do not forget to ask your pharmacist for the list of ingredients.
- Give all information regarding what medications you are taking, any vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products you are taking or planning to take. Based on this, your doctor may adjust your medication dose or monitor you for side effects.
- The non-prescription products may interact with Epirubicin. This is Cimetidine (an H2 blocker used for ulcers, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease). If you are taking this medication, be sure to inform your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking it before receiving Epirubicin injection. Do not decide to take this medicine unless you take advice from your doctor.
- You must let your doctor know if you have received radiation therapy before, or if you have faced any kidney or liver problems.
- You must be aware that Epirubicin may interfere with the menstrual cycle among women and may stop sperm production in men. Epirubicin may harm the fetus if you get pregnant while on Epirubicin. You should consult your doctor if you get pregnant while on this drug. If you are already pregnant and breastfeeding, you must notify your doctor.
- Before taking any vaccinations, consult your doctor. Do not take any vaccinations unless your doctor suggests.
When to See a Doctor?
You should be consulting your doctor in the following situations.
- If you notice any severe side effects, such as chest pain, allergy, unusual bleeding, etc.,
- You should also consult your doctor if you get pregnant while on Epirubicin, as this drug may harm the fetus.
- Before taking any vaccinations or medications, you are supposed to consult your doctor.
- If you have persistent side effects, then consulting your doctor becomes necessary.
Conclusion
Epirubicin is a medicine that is used to treat various cancers, mainly for breast cancer. Though it is useful in some cancers, it has its own side effects. A detailed discussion between the doctor and the patient is very much needed before taking the drug. The patient should be aware of what precautions to take, its side effects, and its usefulness. This helps avoid unnecessary problems for the patient and the doctor. For more information about this drug, you can consult a cancer care specialist for further guidance.
Key Takeaways
- Epirubicin is used as an adjuvant with other drugs to treat breast cancer after surgery.
- It acts by killing cancer cells by inhibiting certain enzymes and forming complexes with DNA.
- Epirubicin is a potent chemotherapeutic drug used for many cancers.
