epirubicin

medtigo

epirubicin

Brand Name :

Ellence

Synonyms :

epirubicin

Class :

Antineoplastics, Anthracycline

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum:

epirubicin prevents cancer cells from growing and replicating by interfering with their ability to synthesise DNA. It is a member of the anthracycline family of chemotherapy medications, which are well-known for their potency in the treatment of cancer.

Bladder cancer, and stomach cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer is just a few of the many malignancies that epirubicin is effective against. To boost its efficacy, it is frequently used in conjunction with other chemotherapy medications. The kind and stage of the disease, as well as other personal considerations, will influence the chemotherapy regimen selection.

Dosing & Uses

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency Defined 

>10%

Alopecia (96%)

Anemia (72%)

Mucositis (59%)

Hot flashes (39%)

Diarrhea (25%)

Conjunctivitis (15%)

Nausea and vomiting (92%)

Leukopenia or neutropenia (80%)

Amenorrhea (72%)

Thrombocytopenia (49%)

Lethargy (46%)

<1%

Acute lymphoid leukemia

Esophagitis

Acute myelogenous leukemia

Hyperpigmentation

Myelodysplastic syndrome

Atrioventricular block

1-10%

Skin changes (5%)

Anorexia (3%)

Rash (9%)

Fever (5%)

Frequency Not Defined

Risk of secondary AML

Myocardial toxicity (including CHF)

Severe myelosuppression

Post marketing Reports

Infections and infestations: Pneumonia, sepsis

Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Hyperuricemia, dehydration

Immune system disorders: Anaphylaxis

Gastrointestinal disorders: Ulcerations, pain or burning sensation, bleeding, Erosions, hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa

Vascular disorders: Hemorrhage, embolism arterial, shock, thrombophlebitis, phlebitis

Respiratory, mediastinal and thoracic disorders: Pulmonary embolism

Renal and urinary disorders: Red coloration of urine for 1 to 2 days after administration

General disorders and administration site conditions: Fever, chills

Poisoning, injury and procedural complications: Chemical cystitis

Subcutaneous and skin tissue disorders: flushes, nail and skin hyperpigmentation, Erythema, photosensitivity, hypersensitivity to irradiated skin, urticaria

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning

epirubicin comes with a black box warning that lists a few potentially fatal adverse effects, including cardiotoxicity and secondary cancers.

While giving epirubicin, medical professionals should keep an eye out for symptoms of cardiotoxicity, such as shortness of breath, ankle puffiness, and an erratic or fast heartbeat.

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:

Contraindication:

epirubicin or any of its ingredients should not be administered to those who have a hypersensitivity to them.
epirubicin should not be used by anyone who have significant liver or renal issues.
epirubicin should not be administered to patients who have already taken the maximum cumulative dose of anthracyclines or anthracenediones.

Caution:

Patients with heart illness, such as those with a history of heart attack, heart failure, or irregular heart rhythms, should use epirubicin with caution.
When taking epirubicin, patients with a history of chest radiation therapy should be properly watched.
Those who have a history of infections or are presently receiving treatment for an illness should use caution when taking epirubicin since it may increase the risk of infections.
Those who have a history of bone marrow issues should use caution while using epirubicin since it may induce bone marrow suppression, which can lead to low white blood cell levels.
Those who have a history of skin issues or who are presently suffering skin irritation or rash should use caution when taking epirubicin since it has the potential to induce skin responses.

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:   

Pregnancy category: N/A

Lactation: Excreted into human milk is unknown

Pregnancy Categories:       

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in either the first or second trimester.

Category B: There were lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the foetus in animal experiments.  

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.   

Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.  

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.   

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology

epirubicin is an anthracycline antibacterial that inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis by binding to DNA to produce its anticancer effects. Moreover, it produces free radicals that damage DNA and result in cell death.

epirubicin is injected intravenously and spread throughout the body, with the liver and spleen having the highest quantities. A little portion of the medicine is excreted by the kidneys, while the majority of the drug’s metabolism and elimination occur in the liver through biliary excretion.

Pharmacodynamics: 

By combining between the base pairs of DNA, altering its natural structure and obstructing replication and transcription, epirubicin prevents the creation of DNA and RNA. The medication also produces free radicals, which contribute to its cytotoxic effects by damaging DNA through oxidation.

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption  

epirubicin is absorbed quickly and thoroughly into the circulation since it is delivered intravenously. Thus, it has a 100% bioavailability.

Distribution

epirubicin is widely dispersed throughout the body and is strongly protein-bound, mostly to albumin. The drug’s volume of distribution is rather large, and it penetrates tissues including tumors effectively. The spleen, liver and kidney have the greatest levels of epirubicin.

Metabolism

epirubicin is extensively metabolized in the liver, mostly by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, to produce epirubicinol, which is a less potent metabolite than the original molecule. Via the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, epirubicin also undergoes oxidative metabolism, creating several secondary metabolites.

Elimination and excretion

epirubicin and its metabolites are mostly removed in the feces and excreted in the bile. The medication is eliminated unaltered in modest amounts in the urine. epirubicin has an elimination half-life of around 28 hours, however individuals with kidney or liver impairment may experience a longer half-life.

Adminstartion

Administration: 

Injections or intravenous infusions are used to give epirubicin.

epirubicin should be provided with caution as it can have hazardous effects on healthy body cells, especially those with high rates of proliferating, such blood cells and digestive tract lining cells.

Since the liver and kidneys oversee metabolizing and removing the medication from the body, the dose of epirubicin could require being changed in individuals with these conditions.

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet

Generic Name: epirubicin

Why do we use epirubicin?

A kind of chemotherapy medicine called epirubicin is used to treat different cancers. It is primarily used to treat breast cancer, where it is frequently combined with other chemotherapy medications or used in a treatment plan that also includes surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy.

Other solid tumours, such as ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and stomach cancer, are also treated with epirubicin. Moreover, it has demonstrated some efficacy when used to treat hematological malignancies such lymphomas.

epirubicin

No data available for drug.

DRUG INTERACTION

epirubicin

&

epirubicin +

Contraindicated

Serious Use Alternative

Monitor Closely

Minor

epirubicin

No data available for drug.

DRUG INTERACTION

epirubicin

&

epirubicin +

Contraindicated

Serious Use Alternative

Monitor Closely

Minor

medtigo

epirubicin

Brand Name :

Synonyms :

Class :

Action and Spectrum

Dosing & Uses

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Black Box Warning

Contraindication / Caution

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pharmacology

Adminstartion

Patient Information Leaflet

CONTACT INFORMATION