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Dexrazoxane (Intravenous Route)

US Brand Names

Description

Dexrazoxane is used to help prevent or lessen a toxic effect to your heart that is caused by certain medicines that are used to treat cancer.

Dexrazoxane is also used to treat tissue damage caused by the leakage of certain medicines that are used to treat cancer .

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Powder for Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dexrazoxane in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dexrazoxane in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment of dosage in patients receiving dexrazoxane .

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood disorder or bleeding problem (e.g., leukopenia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia)—May make this condition worse .

• Kidney disease—The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body .

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Precautions

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away .

Dexrazoxane can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid situations where bruising or injury could occur .

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Bluish color
• Changes in skin color
• Chest pain
• Cold hands and feet
• Cough or hoarseness
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Fever or chills
• Lower back or side pain
• Pain, redness, or swelling in arm or leg
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• Tenderness
• Tightness in chest
• Troubled breathing
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Wheezing

• Black, tarry stools
• Chest discomfort
• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• Pain at place of injection
• Ulcers, sores, or white spots in mouth

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Diarrhea
• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• Discouragement
• Dizziness
• Feeling sad or empty
• Hair loss, thinning of hair
• Headache
• Irritability
• Lack or loss of appetite
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Muscle pain, spasms, cramps, or stiffness
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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