Epirubicin, the generic name for the brand-name chemotherapeutic medication, Ellence, is an example of a medication in the class of drugs known as anthracyclines. Although epirubicin can be effective in the treatment of breast cancer, epirubicin poses a risk of cardiotoxic side effects (i.e., severe heart problems).
To reduce the potential for cardiotoxicity, the following precautions are undertaken when considering or administering epirubicin:[1]
• The medical history (including other cardiac risk factors, such as pre-existing heart disease, age, high blood pressure, diabetes, previous radiation therapy of the chest wall, and/or previous use of an anthracycline drug) of the patient is considered prior to deciding whether to use epirubicin.
• Limited doses of epirubicin typically are administered to patients.
• Zinecard (generic name, dexrazoxane), a cardioprotective drug, may be given to some patients receiving epirubicin treatment
• During epirubicin treatment, patients are closely monitored for any heart problems.
Zinecard may be given to some breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment with epirubicin. Use of Zinecard has demonstrated the ability to reduce the risk of severe heart problems that may arise as a side effect of treatment with epirubicin. Therefore, Zinecard treatment allows the risk of cardiotoxicity to be lowered in breast cancer patients who:[1]
• Need greater cumulative doses of epirubicin
• Have pre-existing risk factors for heart disease and are going to receive epirubicin treatment
REFERENCE
1. National Cancer Institute. Physicians Data Query: Breast cancer treatment. Accessed at www.cancer.gov.
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