Mitoxantrone, the generic name for the brand-name medication, Novantrone, is an example of a chemotherapeutic medication in the class of drugs known as anthracyclines. Although anthracyclines can be effective in the treatment of breast cancer, anthracyclines pose a risk of cardiotoxic side effects (i.e., severe heart problems). The potential for cardiotoxicity varies with the particular anthracycline drug.
Compared to doxorubicin, however, mitoxantrone causes fewer cardiotoxic side effects. Nevertheless, to reduce the potential for cardiotoxicity, the following precautions are undertaken when considering or administering mitoxantrone:[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 mitoxantrone.
• Doses of mitoxantrone administered to patients are limited.
• During mitoxantrone treatment, patients are closely monitored for any heart problems.
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