Doxil

Caelyx (CA) (UK), Doxil, Myocet (UK)

DOXOrubicin, liposomal

(dox-oh-roo-bi-sin lye-poe-sohm-al) ,

Doxil

(trade name) Pregnancy Category: D

Indications

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Time/action profile (effect on blood counts)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
IV	10 days	14 days	21–24 days

Contraindications/Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Central nervous system

• weakness

Cardiovascular

• cardiomyopathy (life-threatening)

Gastrointestinal

• nausea (most frequent)
• diarrhea
• ↑ alkaline phosphatase
• moniliasis
• oral malignancy (life-threatening)
• stomatitis
• vomiting

Dermatologic

• alopecia
• palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia

Hematologic

• anemia (most frequent)
• leukopenia (most frequent)
• thrombocytopenia (most frequent)

Local

• injection site reactions

Miscellaneous

• anaphylactoid allergic reactions (life-threatening)
• acute infusion-related reactions (most frequent)
• fever

Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction

↑ bone marrow depression with other antineoplastics or radiation therapy.Pediatric patients who have received concurrent doxorubicin and dactinomycin have ↑ risk of recall pneumonitis following local radiation therapy.May ↑ skin reactions at previous radiation therapy sites.If paclitaxel is administered first, clearance of doxorubicin is ↓ and incidence and severity of neutropenia and stomatitis are ↑ (problem is less if doxorubicin is administered first).Hematologic toxicity is ↑ by concurrent use of cyclosporine ; risk of coma and seizures is also ↑.Incidence and severity of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are ↑ by concurrent progesterone.Phenobarbital may ↑ clearance and ↓ effects of doxorubicin.Doxorubicin may ↓ metabolism and ↑ effects of phenytoin.Streptozocin may ↑ the half-life of doxorubicin (dose reduction of doxorubicin recommended).May ↑ risk of hemorrhagic cystitis from cyclophosphamide or hepatitis from mercaptopurine.Cardiac toxicity may be ↑ by radiation therapy or cyclophosphamide.May ↓ antibody response to live-virus vaccines and ↑ risk of adverse reactions.

Route/Dosage

Other regimens are used

Availability (generic available)

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Monitor BP, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature frequently during administration. Report significant changes.
• Monitor for acute infusion-related reactions consisting of flushing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, headache, chills, chest pain, back pain, chest or throat tightness, fever, tachycardia, pruritus, rash, cyanosis, syncope, bronchospasm, asthma, apnea, which may be accompanied by hypotension. Reactions usually resolve over 1 day and are usually limited to first dose. Slowing infusion rate may minimize this reaction. Reaction is thought to be due to liposome.
• Observe for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis (rash, pruritus, laryngeal edema, wheezing). Discontinue doxorubicin liposome and notify health care professional immediately if these problems occur. Keep epinephrine, an antihistamine, and resuscitation equipment close by in case of an anaphylactic reaction.
• Monitor for bone marrow depression. Assess for bleeding (bleeding gums, bruising, petechiae, guaiac stools, urine, and emesis) and avoid IM injections and taking rectal temperatures if platelet count is low. Apply pressure to venipuncture sites for 10 min. Assess for signs of infection during neutropenia. Anemia may occur. Monitor for increased fatigue, dyspnea, and orthostatic hypotension.
• Monitor intake and output ratios, and report occurrence of significant discrepancies. Encourage fluid intake of 2000–3000 mL/day. Allopurinol and alkalinization of the urine may be used to decrease serum uric acid levels and to help prevent urate stone formation.
• Severe and protracted nausea and vomiting may occur as early as 1 hr after therapy and may last 24 hr. Administer parenteral antiemetics 30–45 min prior to therapy and routinely around the clock for the next 24 hr as indicated. Monitor amount of emesis and notify health care professional if emesis exceeds guidelines to prevent dehydration.
• Monitor for development of signs of cardiac toxicity, which may be either acute and transient (ST segment depression, flattened T wave, sinus tachycardia, and extrasystoles) or late onset (usually occurs 1–6 mo after initiation of therapy) and characterized by intractable HF (peripheral edema, dyspnea, rales/crackles, weight gain); occurs more frequently in patients receiving a cumulative dose of ≥550 mg/m². Chest x ray, echocardiography, ECGs, and radionuclide angiography may be ordered prior to and periodically during therapy. Cardiotoxicity is more prevalent in children younger than 2 yr and geriatric patients. Dexrazoxane may be used to prevent cardiotoxicity in patients receiving cumulative doses of >300 mg/m².
• Assess injection site frequently for redness, irritation, or inflammation. Doxorubicin liposome is an irritant but may infiltrate painlessly even if blood returns on aspiration of infusion needle. Severe tissue damage may occur if doxorubicin liposome extravasates. If extravasation occurs, stop infusion immediately, restart, and complete dose in another vein. If possible, withdraw 3–5 mL of blood to remove doxorubicin liposome. Local infiltration of antidote is not recommended. Delineate the infiltrated area on patient's skin with a felt-tip marker. Elevate for 48 hr above heart level using a sling or stockinette dressing with an observation window cut in the dressing. Avoid pressure or friction. Do not rub the area. Observe for signs of increased erythema, pain, or skin necrosis. If increased symptoms occur, consult a plastic surgeon. After 48 hr, encourage patient to use extremity normally to promote full range of motion.
• Assess oral mucosa frequently for development of stomatitis. Increased dosing interval and/or decreased dose is recommended if lesions are painful or interfere with nutrition.
• Continue to assess oral mucosa regularly during and for at least 6 yr for ulceration or any discomfort; may indicate secondary oral cancer.
• Monitor for skin toxicity with prolonged use; palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia usually occurs after 6 wk of treatment and consists of swelling, pain, and erythema of the hands and feet. This may progress to desquamation but usually regresses after 2 wk. In severe cases, modification and delay of future doses of doxorubicin liposome may be necessary.
• Lab Test Considerations: Monitor CBC and differential prior to and periodically during therapy. The WBC nadir occurs 10–14 days after administration, and recovery usually occurs by the 21st day. Thrombocytopenia and anemia may also occur. ↑ dosing interval and/or ↓ dose is recommended if ANC is <1000 cells/mm³ and/or platelet count is <50,000 cells/mm³. If ANC 1500 – 1900 cells/mm³ and platelets 75,000–150,000 cells/mm³ (Grade 1), resume treatment with no dose reduction. If ANC 1000 – <1500 cells/mm³and platelets 50,000 – <75,000 cells/mm³ (Grade 2), wait until ANC >1500 and platelets >75,000; then redose with no dose reduction. If ANC 500 – 999 cells/mm³and platelets 25,000 – <50,000 cells/mm³ (Grade 3), wait until ANC >1500 and platelets >75,000; then redose with no dose reduction. If ANC <500 and platelets <25,000 cells/mm³ (Grade 4), wait until ANC >1500 and platelets >75,000, then redose at 25% dose reduction or continue full dose with cytokine support.
  • Monitor renal (BUN and creatinine) and hepatic (AST, ALT, LDH, and serum bilirubin) function prior to and periodically during therapy. Dose reduction is required for bilirubin >1.2 m g/dL or serum creatinine >3 m g/dL.
  • May cause ↑ serum and urine uric acid concentrations.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Risk for infection (Adverse Reactions)
Decreased cardiac output (Adverse Reactions)

Implementation

• high alert: Fatalities have occurred with incorrect administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Before administering, clarify all ambiguous orders; double-check single, daily, and course-of-therapy dose limits; have second practitioner independently double-check original order, calculations, and infusion pump settings.
• high alert: Do not confuse doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome (Doxil) with doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin, Rubex) or with daunorubicin hydrochloride (Cerubidine). Do not confuse Doxil with Paxil. Clarify orders that do not include generic and brand names.
• Prepare solution in a biologic cabinet. Wear gloves, gown, and mask while handling medication. Discard IV equipment in specially designated containers.
  • Aluminum needles may be used to administer doxorubicin but should not be used during storage, because prolonged contact results in discoloration of solution and formation of a dark precipitate. Solution is red.

• Intravenous Administration

• Intermittent Infusion: Diluent: Dilute dose, up to 90 mg, in 250 mL and doses >90 mg in 500 mL of D5W. Do not dilute with other diluents or diluents containing a bacteriostatic agent. Solution is not clear, but a translucent red liposomal dispersion. Do not use in-line filters. Refrigerate diluted solutions and administer within 24 hr of dilution.
• Rate: Initial rate of infusion should be 1 mg/min to minimize risk of infusion reactions. If no reactions occur, increase rate to complete administration within 1 hr. Do not administer as a bolus or undiluted solution. Rapid infusion may increase infusion-related reactions.
• Y-Site Compatibility: acyclovir, alfentanil, allopurinol, amifostine, amikacin, aminophylline, amphotericin B lipid complex, amphotericin B liposomal, ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, anidulafungin, argatroban, atracurium, azithromycin, aztreonam, bivalirudin, bleomycin, bumetanide, butorphanol, calcium gluconate, carboplatin, caspofungin, cefazolin, cefepime, cefotaxime, cefotetan, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, chloramphenicol, chlorpromazine, ciprofloxacin, cisatracurium, cisplatin, clindamycin, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, cytarabine, dacarbazine, daptomycin, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, dexmedetomidine, dexrazoxane, digoxin, diphenhydramine, dobutamine, dopamine, droperidol, enalaprilat, ephedrine, epinephrine, eptifibatide, ertapenem, erythromycin, esmolol, etoposide, etoposide phosphate, famotidine, fenoldopam, fentanyl, fluconazole, fluorouracil, foscarnet, furosemide, ganciclovir, gentamicin, glycopyrrolate, granisetron, haloperidol, heparin, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, hydromorphone, ifosfamide, imipenem/cilastatin, insulin, irinotecan, isoproterenol, ketorolac, labetalol, leucovorin, levofloxacin, lidocaine, linezolid, lorazepam, magnesium sulfate, meropenem, mesna, metaraminol, methotrexate, methyldopate, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, metoprolol, metronidazole, midazolam, milrinone, moxifloxacin, mycophenolate, nafcillin, nalbuphine, naloxone, nesiritide, nicardipine, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, norepinephrine, octreotide, ondansetron, oxaliplatin, palonosetron, pamidronate, pancuronium, pantoprazole, pemetrexed, pentamidine, pentazocine, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, phentolamine, phenylephrine, potassium acetate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphates, procainamide, prochlorperazine, propranolol, quinupristin/dalfopristin, ranitidine, remifentanyl, rituximab, rocuronium, sodium acetate, sodium phosphates, succinylcholine, sufentanil, tacrolimus, thiopental, ticarcillin/clavulanate, tigecycline, tirofiban, tobramycin, topotecan, trastuzumab, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, vasopressin, vecuronium, verapamil, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine, voriconazole, zidovudine, zolendronic acid
• Y-Site Incompatibility: amiodarone, amphotericin B cholesteryl, amphotericin B colloidal, buprenorphine, calcium chloride, cefoperazone, ceftazidime, dantrolene, diazepam, diltiazem, docetaxel, dolasetron, gemcitabine, hydralazine, hydroxyzine, mannitol, metoclopramide, mitoxantrone, morphine, paclitaxel, phenytoin, piperacillin/tazobactam, promethazine, sodium bicarbonate, theophylline

Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient to notify health care professional promptly if fever; sore throat; signs of infection; bleeding gums; bruising; petechiae; blood in stools, urine, or emesis; increased fatigue; dyspnea; or orthostatic hypotension occurs. Caution patient to avoid crowds and persons with known infections. Instruct patient to use soft toothbrush and electric razor and to avoid falls. Caution patient not to drink alcoholic beverages or take medication containing aspirin or NSAIDs; may precipitate gastric bleeding.
• Instruct patient to report pain at injection site immediately.
• Instruct patient to inspect oral mucosa for erythema and ulceration. If ulceration occurs, advise patient to use sponge brush, rinse mouth with water after eating and drinking, and confer with health care professional if mouth pain interferes with eating. Pain may require treatment with opioid analgesics. The risk of developing stomatitis is greatest 5–10 days after a dose; the usual duration is 3–7 days.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional immediately if irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling of lower extremities, or skin irritation (swelling, pain, or redness of feet or hands) occurs.
• Discuss the possibility of hair loss with patient. Explore methods of coping. Regrowth usually occurs 2–3 mo after discontinuation of therapy.
• Instruct patient not to receive any vaccinations without advice of health care professional.
• Inform patient that medication may cause urine to appear red for 1–2 days.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional if skin irritation occurs at site of previous radiation therapy.
• Advise family and/or caregivers to take precautions (i.e., latex gloves) in handling body fluids for at least 5 days post-treatment.
• Advise patient that this medication may have teratogenic effects. Contraception should be used during and for at least 4 mo after therapy is concluded. Inform patient before initiating therapy that this medication may cause irreversible gonadal suppression. Advise female patient to avoid breast feeding during therapy.
• Emphasize the need for periodic lab tests to monitor for side effects.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Decrease in size or spread of malignancies.
• Arrested progression of KS in patients with HIV infection.