Lipodox: Uses, indications and cautions when using

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Lipodox is a type of chemotherapy that is used to treat certain types of cancer such as ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma,... Lipodox works by slowing or stopping the growth of of cancer cells.

1. What are the effects of Lipodox?

Lipodox drug generic name doxorubicin is an anthracycline type of chemotherapy drug used to treat certain types of cancer such as ovarian cancer, AIDS related Kaposi sarcoma, multiple myeloma,... Lipodox works by ways to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

2. How to use Lipodox?

Lipodox is given by injection into a vein over 30-60 minutes or longer. The dosage of Lipodox will be based on your medical condition, body size, and response to therapy. Tell your doctor right away if redness, pain, or swelling occurs at the injection site.
If this medication touches your skin, immediately and completely wash your skin with soap and water. If this medicine gets into eyes, open eyelids and rinse with plenty of water for 15 minutes and get medical help. Family members and caregivers should take precautions (eg, wear gloves) to prevent contact with the patient's urine or other body fluids for at least 5 days after treatment.
Use Lipodox regularly to get the most benefit from it. Never increase the dose or abuse the drug for longer than prescribed. This not only makes the condition improve faster, but also increases the risk of unwanted effects.

3. Undesirable effects when using Lipodox medicine

Some unwanted effects that may occur when using Lipodox include:
Body aches Headache Nausea, vomiting Constipation Diarrhea Stomach pain Loss of appetite Red urine, tears and sweat . This is a normal effect of the drug and should not be confused with blood in the urine. Temporary hair loss, normal hair growth will return a few months after treatment ends.

Skin reaction also known as hand-foot syndrome (erythema of the palms, feet). Tell your doctor right away if you have swelling, pain, redness, dryness, peeling skin, blisters, or burning itching on your hands or feet. These symptoms may be worsened by exposure to high temperatures. Serious side effects: symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, swollen ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain), drowsiness, trouble sleeping, mental status changes (e.g. anxiety, confusion, depression), cough/ hoarseness, redness/ pain/ swelling of arms/ legs, red/ itchy eyes, pain/ difficulty urinating, stomach/abdominal pain, jaundice/eyes , dark urine, black/tarry stools, bloody mucus or stool discharge, vision changes (eg, blindness), fast/irregular heartbeat. Lipodox may cause some (rarely fatal) blood disorders (bone marrow suppression leading to low red blood cells/white blood cells/platelets). This can reduce the body's ability to fight infection and stop bleeding. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat), unusual tiredness, or easy bleeding). Within days to weeks after treatment with doxorubicin, a severe skin reaction that looks like a severe sunburn can develop on any skin that has been previously treated with radiation. Tell your doctor right away if you have skin redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, peeling, or blistering. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help your skin heal faster and reduce swelling. Sunlight can worsen any skin reactions that may occur while you are using this medicine. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. In children, radiation recovery can occur in the lungs. Tell your doctor right away if you notice your child is wheezing or having trouble breathing. Very rarely, people with cancer treated with this drug develop other cancers (such as secondary leukemia, oral cancer). Your risk is higher if you have taken this medicine long-term (more than 1 year), or with certain types of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Before prescribing, doctors always weigh the benefits of Lipodox more than the risk of side effects. However, some cases when taking Lipodox medicine can still occur unwanted effects. Therefore, when you see unusual signs, especially when an allergic reaction occurs such as rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, throat, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, ... In this case, the patient should immediately notify the doctor for prompt medical intervention.

4. Some notes when using Lipodox medicine

Some notes when using Lipodox include:
Report a history of allergy to Lipodox, doxorubicin or drugs containing polyethylene glycol, lincomycin, or any other allergies. Lipodox medicinal products may contain inactive ingredients and may cause side effects or other serious problems. Report medical history such as: low blood cell counts (such as anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), gout, heart problems, history of taking any anthracycline medicines (eg doxorubicin , idarubicin, mitoxantrone, daunorubicin), infections, liver problems, radiation treatment (especially in the chest area), kidney problems, etc. To reduce nausea, vomiting, you should not eat before infusion. Changes in diet and lifestyle also need to be changed such as eating small meals, limiting activity, etc. In some cases, nausea and vomiting symptoms become severe, treatment with Medicines may be needed to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. To reduce symptoms of hand-foot syndrome, it is important to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, tanning booths, and lights, as well as unnecessary heat exposure (eg, hot dish soap, water baths) long hot). Avoid pressure on elbows, knees, and soles of feet (eg, leaning on elbows, kneeling, long walks). Wear loose clothing. Depending on the severity of your hand, foot and mouth syndrome, your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve symptoms, or reduce or delay your next dose of liposomal doxorubicin. When taking lipodox, there may be swelling or pain or sores on the lips, mouth and throat. To reduce this risk, limit hot foods and drinks, brush your teeth carefully, avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol, and rinse your mouth often with cool water. Do not get vaccinated without your doctor's approval and avoid contact with people who have just received the oral polio vaccine. To reduce the risk of bleeding, bruising, be careful with sharp objects such as knives, scissors, ... and avoid contact sports, vigorous exercise. Use a brush with soft bristles to reduce the risk of bleeding gums. Wash your hands to prevent the spread of infections.

Liposomal doxorubicin should be used with caution in children, as they may be more sensitive to the adverse effects of the drug, especially on the cardiovascular system. Lipodox should not be used by pregnant women. For those planning to become pregnant, your doctor will give you a pregnancy test before starting treatment. You should not become pregnant while using lipodox because it can harm an unborn baby. Use reliable contraception during treatment with Lipodox and for 6 months after stopping treatment. Men with a pregnant partner must use a condom during sex during treatment with Lipodox and for 10 days after stopping treatment. Men with female partners of childbearing age who are not pregnant should ask about a form of contraception to use during treatment and 3 months after stopping treatment. Since Lipodox passes into breast milk and poses a potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding is not recommended while using lipodox and for 10 days after stopping treatment. Tests such as complete blood count, liver function test, heart exam, etc. should be done regularly to monitor progress and check for possible side effects. If you forget to take a dose of Lipodox, inform your healthcare provider so that it can be taken in time. Absolutely do not use more than double the dose than the treatment regimen. Using an overdose of Lipodox can cause serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, severe dizziness, unexplained bleeding,...

5. Drug interactions

Drug interactions can decrease the effectiveness of Lipodox, or increase the effect of unwanted effects. Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines and herbal products. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's consent.
Drug products that may interact with Lipodox include:
Digoxin Progesterone Streptozocin Stavudine Trastuzumab Zidovudine azole antifungals: Ketoconazole Calcium channel blockers: Verapamil, nifedipine Rifamycins: Rifabutin Epilepsy drugs: Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital , primidone Products containing turmeric

6. How to store Lipodox?

Store Lipodox at room temperature, away from moisture and light. Do not store Lipodox in a humid place or in the freezer. Each medicine will have different storage methods, so read the instructions on the packaging for Lipodox carefully, or ask your pharmacist. Keep Lipodox out of the reach of children and family pets. When medicine is past its expiration date or cannot be used, dispose of it properly. Do not arbitrarily dispose of Lipodox into an environment such as a water pipe or toilet unless requested to do so. Ask your waste disposal company or pharmacist for advice on how to safely dispose of Lipodox to help protect the environment.
In short, the drug lipodox is a type of chemotherapy that is used in the treatment of certain types of cancer such as ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma,... Lipodox works by slowing or stop the growth of cancer cells. However, Lipodox can cause some unwanted effects and drug interactions, so tell your doctor what medicinal products you are taking to reduce the risk of side effects and increase the effectiveness of your treatment. treatment course.

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Reference source: webmd.com