Uses
Mitoxantrone injection is used to treat adults with various forms of multiple sclerosis (MS; a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and people may experience weakness, numbness, loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control) including the following:
- relapsing-remitting forms (course of disease where symptoms flare up from time to time), or
- progressive relapsing (course of disease with occasional relapses), or
- secondary progressive forms (course of disease where relapses occur more often).
Mitoxantrone injection is also used together with steroid medications to relieve pain in people with advanced prostate cancer who did not respond to other medications. Mitoxantrone injection is also used with other medications to treat certain types of leukemia. Mitoxantrone injection is in a class of medications called anthracenediones. It treats MS by stopping certain cells of the immune system from reaching the brain and spinal cord and causing damage. It treats cancer by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Side Effects Of Mitoxantrone Injection
Mitoxantrone injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- heartburn
- loss of appetite
- sores on the mouth and tongue
- runny or stuffed nose
- thinning or loss of hair
- changes in the area around or under fingernails and toenails
- missed or irregular menstrual periods
- extreme tiredness
- weakness
- headache
- back pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- small red or purple dots on the skin
- hives
- itching
- rash
- difficulty swallowing
- shortness of breath
- fainting
- dizziness
- pale skin
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- seizures
- redness, pain, swelling, burning, or blue discoloration at the site where the injection was given
Mitoxantrone injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using mitoxantrone injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to mitoxantrone injection, any other medications, sulfites, or any of the other ingredients in the injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any blood-clotting problems, anemia (decreased amount of red blood cells in the blood), or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are using mitoxantrone injection. Talk to your doctor about effective birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while using mitoxantrone injection, call your doctor immediately. Mitoxantrone injection may harm the fetus. If you are using the injection to treat MS, even if you are using birth control, your doctor should give you a pregnancy test before each treatment. You must have a negative pregnancy test before the start of each treatment.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while you are using mitoxantrone injection.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using the injection.
- you should know that mitoxantrone injection is dark blue in color and may cause the white parts of your eyes to have a slight blue color for a few days after you receive each dose. It may also change the color of your urine to a blue-green color for about 24 hours after you receive a dose.
Mitoxantrone Injection Dosage
Mitoxantrone injection comes as a liquid to be given intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. When mitoxantrone injection is used to treat MS, it is usually given once every 3 months for about 2 to 3 years (for a total of 8 to 12 doses). When mitoxantrone injection is used to treat prostate cancer, it is usually given once every 21 days. When the injection is used to treat leukemia, you will continue to receive this medication based on your condition and how you respond to the treatment.
If you are using mitoxantrone injection for MS, you should know that it controls MS but does not cure it. Continue to receive treatments even if you feel well. Talk to your doctor if you no longer want to receive treatment with the injection.
If you are using mitoxantrone injection for MS, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to the injection.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about mitoxantrone 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.
