Epirubicin

Generic name: epirubicin [ EP-i-ROO-bi-sin ]
Brand names: Ellence, Pharmorubicin PFS, Pharmorubicin RDF
Dosage form: intravenous solution (2 mg/mL)
Drug class:Antibiotics / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Mar 3, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is epirubicin?

Epirubicin is used to treat breast cancer.

Epirubicin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use epirubicin if you have an untreated or uncontrolled infection, severe liver disease, severe heart problems, or if you have recently had a heart attack. You may not be able to use epirubicin if you have already been treated with a certain amount of other cancer medications.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the needle when epirubicin is injected.

Epirubicin can cause dangerous effects on your heart that may not be reversible and could occur months to years after you receive epirubicin. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of heart problems: swelling, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath.

Epirubicin affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. You will need frequent medical tests and your cancer treatments may be delayed.

Before taking this medicine

Before you are treated with epirubicin, tell your doctor about all other cancer medications and treatments you have received, including radiation.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to epirubicin or similar medications (such as daunorubicin, doxorubicin, idarubicin,mitoxantrone, or valrubicin), or if you have:

• an untreated or uncontrolled infection (including mouth sores);

• severe liver disease;

• severe heart problems; or

• if you have recently had a heart attack.

You may not be able to use epirubicin if you have already been treated with a certain amount of other cancer medications.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems;

• radiation to your chest area;

• liver or kidney disease;

• bone marrow suppression; or

• chemotherapy with doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, or mitoxantrone.

Using epirubicin may increase your risk of developing other cancers, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Epirubicin can harm an unborn baby i...