Adriamycin (Doxorubicin) for Myeloma

The Adriamycin brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. Generic alternatives may be available.

Overview

Adriamycin is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating cancers including multiple myeloma. In cases of myeloma, Adriamycin is often combined with other drugs in specific chemotherapy regimens. Adriamycin may also be referred to by its drug name, doxorubicin. Adriamycin is an anti-cancer drug used in chemotherapy. Adriamycin is a member of two drug classes called anthracycline antibiotics or topoisomerase inhibitors. Adriamycin is believed to work by damaging cancer cell DNA and blocking cell division.

How do I take it?

Adriamycin is usually administered as an intravenous infusion during chemotherapy treatment.

Side effects

The FDA-approved label for Adriamycin lists common side effects including hair loss, nausea, vomiting, darkening nail beds, mouth sores, and watering eyes. Rare but serious side effects listed for Adriamycin include heart damage or inflammation, severe damage to the skin at injection sites, fetal harm in pregnant women, premature menopause in women, infertility in men, and increased risk for some types of cancer, even years after treatment has stopped.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

• Adriamycin PFS 
• Drug Therapy for Multiple Myeloma — American Cancer Society