epirubicin

epirubicin /epi·ru·bi·cin/ (-roo´bĭ-sin) an antineoplastic with action similar to doxorubicin; used in the treatment of various carcinomas, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

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epirubicin,

an antibiotic antineoplastic.

indications It is used as an adjuvant therapy to treat breast cancer with axillary node involvement following resection.

contraindications Factors that prohibit its use include severe hepatic disease, baseline neutrophil count less than 1500 cells/mm³, severe myocardial insufficiency, recent myocardial infarction, pregnancy, lactation, systemic infections, and known hypersensitivity to this drug, anthracyclines, or anthracenediones.

adverse effects Life-threatening effects are thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia, neutropenia, secondary acute myelocytic leukemia, sinus tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, bradycardia, and extrasystoles. Other serious adverse effects include increased blood pressure and chest pain. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, mucositis, diarrhea, amenorrhea, hot flashes, hyperuricemia, rash, necrosis at the injection site, reversible alopecia, infection, febrile neutropenia, lethargy, fever, and conjunctivitis.

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epirubicin [ep″e-roo´bĭ-sin]

an antitumor antibiotic of the anthracycline group, having the same actions as doxorubicin but a lower toxicity; administered intravenously in the treatment of carcinoma of the breast, ovary, stomach, colon, and rectum, as well as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

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epirubicin

an anthracycline antibiotic similar to doxorubicin, used as an antineoplastic agent.