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Quick facts
- How it is given
- intravenous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 1191138
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is an anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitor indicated: • as a component of multi-agent adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of women with axillary lymph node involvement following resection of primary breast cancer ( 1.1 ) • for the treatment of: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, metastatic breast cancer, metastatic Wilms' tumor, metastatic neuroblastoma, metastatic soft tissue sarcoma, metastatic bone sarcomas, metastatic ovarian carcinoma, metastatic transitional cell bladder carcinoma, metastatic thyroid carcinoma, metastatic gastric carcinoma, metastatic bronchogenic carcinoma ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Adjuvant Breast Cancer Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is indicated as a component of multi-agent adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of women with axillary lymph node involvement following resection of primary breast cancer . 1.2 Other Cancers Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is indicated for the treatment of • acute lymphoblastic leukemia • acute myeloblastic leukemia • Hodgkin lymphoma • non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) • metastatic breast cancer • metastatic Wilms' tumor • metastatic neuroblastoma • metastatic soft tissue sarcoma • metastatic bone sarcoma • metastatic ovarian carcinoma • metastatic transitional cell bladder carcinoma • metastatic thyroid carcinoma • metastatic gastric carcinoma • metastatic bronchogenic carcinoma
About this medicine
Doxorubicin hydrochloride is an anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitor isolated from cultures of Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius. The chemical name of doxorubicin hydrochloride is 5,12-Naphthacenedione, 10-[(3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-α-L- lyx o-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,8,11-trihydroxy-8-(hydroxylacetyl)-1-methoxy-, hydrochloride (8S- ci s)-. The chemical structure of doxorubicin hydrochloride is: Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection, for intravenous use is a clear red, sterile, isotonic aqueous solution provided in vials containing 10 mg/5 mL doxorubicin hydrochloride (equivalent to 9.37 mg of doxorubicin free base), 20 mg/10 mL doxorubicin hydrochloride (equivalent to 18.74 mg of doxorubicin free base), 50 mg/25 mL doxorubicin hydrochloride (equivalent to 46.86 mg of doxorubicin free base), 150 mg/75 mL doxorubicin hydrochloride (140.58 mg of doxorubicin free base), or 200 mg/100 mL doxorubicin hydrochloride (equivalent to 187.4 mg of doxorubicin free base). The drug product has demonstrated inherent antimicrobial activity suitable for a multiple dose presentation. Each milliliter of solution contains 2 mg of doxorubicin hydrochloride and 9 mg of sodium chloride. The pH of the solution is adjusted to 3.0 with hydrochloric acid, USP. Chemical Structure
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action The cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin hydrochloride on malignant cells and its toxic effects on various organs are thought to be related to nucleotide base intercalation and cell membrane lipid binding activities of doxorubicin. Intercalation inhibits nucleotide replication and action of DNA and RNA polymerases. The interaction of doxorubicin with topoisomerase II to form DNA-cleavable complexes appears to be an important mechanism of doxorubicin hydrochloride cytocidal activity.
Who should not take it
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection are contraindicated in patients with: • Severe myocardial insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Recent (occurring within the past 4–6 weeks) myocardial infarction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Severe hepatic impairment (defined as Child Pugh Class C or serum bilirubin level greater than 5 mg/dL) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Severe hypersensitivity reaction to doxorubicin hydrochloride, including anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] • Severe myocardial insufficiency ( 4 ) • Recent myocardial infarction ( 4 ) • Severe persistent drug-induced myelosuppression ( 4 ) • Severe hepatic impairment ( 4 ) • Severe hypersensitivity to doxorubicin hydrochloride ( 4 )
Warnings and cautions
• Radiation-Induced Toxicity : Can be increased by the administration of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection. Radiation recall can occur in patients who receive Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection after prior radiation therapy. ( 5.7 ) • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and on the use of effective contraception. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception. Advise males with pregnant partners to use condoms. ( 5.8 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Cardiomyopathy and Arrhythmias Cardiomyopathy Doxorubicin hydrochloride can result in myocardial damage, including acute left ventricular failure. The risk of cardiomyopathy is generally proportional to the cumulative exposure. Include prior doses of other anthracyclines or anthracenediones in calculations of total cumulative dosage for doxorubicin hydrochloride. Cardiomyopathy may develop during treatment or up to several years after completion of treatment and can include decrease in LVEF and signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF). The probability of developing cardiomyopathy is estimated to be 1 to 2% at a total cumulative dose of 300 mg/m 2 of doxorubicin hydrochloride, 3 to 5% at a dose of 400 mg/m 2 , 5 to 8% at a dose of 450 mg/m 2 , and 6 to 20% at a dose of 500 mg/m 2 , when doxorubicin hydrochloride is administered every 3 weeks. There is an additive or potentially synergistic increase in the risk of cardiomyopathy in patients who have received radiotherapy to the mediastinum or concomitant therapy with other known cardiotoxic agents, such as cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab. Pericarditis and myocarditis have also been reported during or following doxorubicin hydrochloride treatment. Assess left ventricular cardiac function (e.g., MUGA or echocardiogram) prior to initiation of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection, during treatment to detect acute changes, and after treatment to detect delayed cardiotoxicity. Increase the frequency of assessments as the cumulative dose exceeds 300 mg/m 2 . […]
Reported side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling. • Cardiomyopathy and Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Secondary Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Extravasation and Tissue Necrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Severe Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Radiation Sensitization and Radiation Recall [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The most common (>10%) adverse reactions are alopecia, nausea and vomiting. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer, Inc. at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Breast Cancer The safety data below were collected from 1492 women who received doxorubicin hydrochloride at a dose of 60 mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide at a dose of 600 mg/m 2 (AC) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles for the adjuvant treatment of axillary lymph node positive breast cancer. The median number of cycles received was 4. Selected adverse reactions reported in this study are provided in Table 2. No treatment-related deaths were reported in patients on either arm of the study. Table 2. […]
Interactions with other medicines
• Avoid concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and/or P-gp ( 7.1 ) • Do not administer doxorubicin hydrochloride in combination with trastuzumab due to increased risk of cardiac dysfunction ( 5.1 , 7.2 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection Inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and P-gp Concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-glycoprotein (P-gp), increased concentrations of doxorubicin, which may increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of doxorubicin hydrochloride. Avoid concomitant use of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection with inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp. Inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp Concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp may decrease the concentration of doxorubicin. Avoid concomitant use of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection with inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp. Paclitaxel Paclitaxel, when given prior to doxorubicin hydrochloride, increases the plasma-concentrations of doxorubicin and its metabolites. Administer Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection prior to paclitaxel if used concomitantly. 7.2 Concomitant Use of Trastuzumab Concomitant use of trastuzumab and doxorubicin hydrochloride results in an increased risk of cardiac dysfunction. Avoid concomitant administration of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection and trastuzumab [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Patients receiving doxorubicin after stopping treatment with trastuzumab may also be at an increased risk of developing cardiotoxicity. Trastuzumab may persist in the circulation for up to 7 months. Therefore, avoid anthracycline-based therapy for up to 7 months after stopping trastuzumab when possible. If anthracyclines are used before this time, carefully monitor cardiac function. 7.3 Concomitant Use of Dexrazoxane Do not administer dexrazoxane as a cardioprotectant at the initiation of doxorubicin hydrochloride-containing chemotherapy regimens. […]
Use in specific groups
• Lactation : Advise not to breastfeed ( 8.2 ) • Females and Males of Reproductive Potential : May impair fertility ( 8.3 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings in animals and its mechanism of action, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman; avoid the use of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection during the 1 st trimester. Available human data do not establish the presence or absence of major birth defects and miscarriage related to the use of doxorubicin hydrochloride during the 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters. Doxorubicin hydrochloride was teratogenic and embryotoxic in rats and embryotoxic in rabbits when administered during organogenesis at doses approximately 0.07 times (based on body surface area) the recommended human dose of 60 mg/m 2 (see Data ) . Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Doxorubicin hydrochloride was teratogenic and embryotoxic at doses of 0.8 mg/kg/day (about 0.07 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) when administered during the period of organogenesis in rats. Teratogenicity and embryotoxicity were also seen using discrete periods of treatment. The most susceptible was the 6- to 9-day gestation period at doses of 1.25 mg/kg/day and greater. Characteristic malformations included esophageal and intestinal atresia, tracheo-esophageal fistula, hypoplasia of the urinary bladder, and cardiovascular anomalies. Doxorubicin hydrochloride was embryotoxic (increase in embryo-fetal deaths) and abortifacient at 0.4 mg/kg/day (about 0.07 times the recommended human dose based on body surface area) in rabbits when administered during the period of organogenesis. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Doxorubicin was measured in the milk of one lactating patient after therapy with 70 mg/m 2 of doxorubicin hydrochloride given as a 15-minute intravenous infusion. […]
If too much is taken
Few cases of overdose have been described. A 58-year-old man with acute lymphoblastic leukemia received 10-fold overdose of doxorubicin hydrochloride (300 mg/m 2 ) in one day. He was treated with charcoal filtration, hemopoietic growth factor (G-CSF), proton pump inhibitor and antimicrobial prophylaxis. The patient suffered sinus tachycardia, grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia for 11 days, severe mucositis and sepsis. The patient recovered completely 26 days after the overdose. A 17-year-old girl with osteogenic sarcoma received 150 mg of doxorubicin hydrochloride daily for 2 days (intended dose was 50 mg per day for 3 days). The patient developed severe mucositis on days 4–7 after the overdose and chills and pyrexia on day 7. The patient was treated with antibiotics and platelets and recovered 18 days after overdose.
Storing it safely
Storage Store all vials at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Protect from light. Storage of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection under refrigerated conditions can result in the formation of a gelled product. Place gelled product at room temperature [15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)] for 2 to 4 hours to return the product to a slightly viscous, mobile solution. Handling and Disposal Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1
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Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 30 April 2026. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.