Uses
Dexrazoxane injection is available as 2 different products that are used to treat or prevent certain side effects that may be caused by certain chemotherapy medications. Dexrazoxane injection (Zinecard) is used to prevent or decrease heart damage caused by doxorubicin in women who are taking the medication to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Dexrazoxane injection (Zinecard) is only given to women who have been treated with doxorubicin in the past and need continued treatment with doxorubicin, it is not used to prevent heart damage in women who are just beginning treatment with doxorubicin. Dexrazoxane injection (Totect) is used to decrease damage to the skin and tissues that may be caused when an anthracycline chemotherapy medication such as daunorubicin (Cerubidine), doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil), epirubicin (Ellence) or idarubicin (Idamycin) leaks out of a vein as it is being injected. This injection is in classes of medications called cardioprotectants and chemoprotectants. It works by stopping the chemotherapy medications from damaging the heart and the tissues.
Side Effects Of Dexrazoxane Injection
Dexrazoxane injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- pain or swelling in the place where the medication was injected
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- stomach pain
- loss of appetite
- dizziness
- headache
- excessive tiredness
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- depression
- swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- sore throat, fever, chills, cough, and other signs of infection
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- pale skin
- weakness
- shortness of breath
- rash
- itching
- hives
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, or throat
- dizziness
- fainting
- Some people who took a medication that is very similar to dexrazoxane injection developed new forms of cancer. There is not enough information to tell if receiving dexrazoxane injection increases the risk that you will develop a new type of cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving this medication.
Dexrazoxane injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving dexrazoxane injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dexrazoxane, any other medications, or any ingredients in the injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) topical products.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or plan to father a child. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving dexrazoxane injection. If you are receiving the injection (Zinecard) to prevent or decrease heart damage, you should use birth control during your treatment. If you are receiving dexrazoxane injection (Totect) to prevent skin and tissue damage, you should use birth control during your treatment and for at least 6 months after your final dose. If you are male, you and your female partner should use birth control during your treatment and for 3 months after you stop receiving dexrazoxane injection (Totect) to prevent skin and tissue damage. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you or your partner become pregnant while receiving dexrazoxane injection, call your doctor. Dexrazoxane may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving dexrazoxane (Zinecard) injection. If you are receiving the injection (Totect) to prevent skin and tissue damage, you should not breastfeed while you are receiving treatment and for 2 weeks after your final dose.
- you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving dexrazoxane injection.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving the injection.
- you should know that treatment with dexrazoxane injection decreases but does not eliminate the risk that doxorubicin will damage your heart. Your doctor will still need to monitor you carefully to see how doxorubicin has affected your heart.
Dexrazoxane Injection Dosage
Dexrazoxane injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected into a vein by a doctor or nurse in a hospital. When dexrazoxane injection is used to prevent heart damage caused by doxorubicin, it is given over 15 minutes just before each dose of doxorubicin. When dexrazoxane injection is used to prevent tissue damage after an anthracycline medication has leaked out of a vein, it is given over 1 to 2 hours once a day for 3 days. The first dose is given as soon as possible within the first 6 hours after the leak occurs, and the second and third doses are given about 24 and 48 hours after the first dose.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to dexrazoxane injection.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you have about dexrazoxane injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
