We know that fighting cancer is not an easy journey. During this journey, you may have heard about chemotherapy. Perhaps your doctor has prescribed you to start a drug called Epirubicin. It is very normal for a little fear and hesitation to come to mind when we hear the word 'chemo'. But if we are properly informed about this drug, we can overcome that fear and face the treatment with strength of mind. Let's talk about this in detail.
What is Epirubicin?
Simply put, Epirubicin is a type of chemotherapy that stops cancer cells from growing and destroying them. It is most commonly used to treat breast cancer . Sometimes, doctors may also prescribe it for other types of cancer. When this drug enters the body, it targets rapidly dividing cancer cells and disrupts their function.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before you start this treatment, your doctor needs to have a complete picture of your health. Only then can you be treated in the safest way. Therefore, if any of the following apply to you, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Situation that may apply to you | What to inform the doctor |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | If you have heart disease, an irregular heartbeat, or have recently had a heart attack. |
| Liver or kidney disease | If you have any liver or kidney disease. |
| Pre-treatment | If you have previously had low blood counts due to another medication or received radiation therapy. |
| Vaccines | If you have recently received any vaccinations or are scheduled to receive them in the future. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to Epirubicin, other chemotherapy drugs, or any other medicine or food. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How can I give you this medicine?
This medicine is not a pill or capsule that you take home. It is an intravenous infusion . This means that it is given to you in a hospital or clinic by a trained doctor or nurse.
Important: This medicine is given under strict medical supervision. Therefore, you do not need to worry about an overdose. However, if you suspect that something like this has happened, inform the medical staff immediately. In Sri Lanka, you can inform the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, do not miss it. Call your doctor immediately and reschedule your appointment for another date and time.
Things to consider during treatment
Chemotherapy is a little different. You have to think a little more about your body and your daily life.
Discomfort and change in urine color
It is normal to feel tired, weak, and uncomfortable during chemotherapy. This is because these drugs affect not only cancer cells, but also healthy cells in our body to some extent. However, it is very important to continue the treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.
Another thing, your urine may turn red for a few days after taking the medicine. This is not blood, but something else due to the color of the medicine. So don't worry about it. However, if your urine is dark or brown, it could be a sign of another problem, so inform your doctor immediately.
Let's protect ourselves from infections!
Epirubicin treatment can reduce the number of white blood cells in your body that fight disease. This means you are more likely to get infections.
- If you develop symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, or cough, do not self-medicate. Call your doctor immediately.
- Stay as far away from people with illnesses like colds and flu as possible.
- It's a good idea to limit your visits to crowded places during this time.
- Do not take painkillers like Aspirin and Ibuprofen without medical advice, as these can suppress the fever and make it difficult to tell if there is an infection.
Special attention to pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
This is a very important matter.
- For women: Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping treatment. This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
- For men: If you are taking this treatment, avoid fathering a child during treatment and for 3 months after stopping.
- Breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding your baby during treatment and for at least 7 days after stopping treatment.
- Fertility: This medication can cause ovarian failure in women and a decrease in sperm count in men. This may affect your ability to have children. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor about it before starting treatment.
Be careful of the sun.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight (sun sensitivity). Therefore, if you are going out in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin and use a good sunscreen.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Epirubicin can cause side effects. Not everybody gets them, but it's important to be aware of them.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Things to report to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Heart problems | Chest pain, difficulty breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, sudden weight gain, swelling of the ankles and feet, extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms of blood clots | Leg pain, swelling, redness, difficulty breathing, sudden severe headache, difficulty speaking. |
| Signs of infection | Fever or chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Signs of bleeding | Bruises all over the body, small red spots on the skin, blood in the urine, and black stools. |
| Usually not serious, but tell your doctor if it persists. | |
| Common side effects | Hair loss, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, mouth sores, diarrhea, skin or nail discoloration. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Epirubicin is an intravenous chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer. It is given in a hospital.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, medications you are taking, and allergies.
- Protect yourself from infections during treatment. If you develop symptoms such as fever and cough, tell your doctor immediately.
- It is normal for your urine to turn red for a few days after taking the medication. But if it is dark brown, report it immediately.
- Avoid becoming pregnant during treatment and for several months afterward (6 months for women, 3 months for men).
- If you experience serious side effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
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