How do you take Doxorubicin Hydrochloride?

This is NOT a drug you take at home. It is given by a doctor or nurse as a drip (infusion) into your vein in a hospital or cancer treatment centre. Your doctor will calculate your exact dose based on your body size and the type of cancer being treated. Treatment is usually given in cycles — for example, once every 21 days. Never attempt to use this drug on your own.

What are the side effects of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride?

Nausea and vomiting, hair loss (your hair will usually grow back after treatment ends), feeling very tired and weak, mouth sores and difficulty eating, your urine may turn red or orange for a day or two after treatment — this is normal and not blood

Who should not take Doxorubicin Hydrochloride?

People with serious heart disease or heart failure, people who have already received the maximum lifetime dose of doxorubicin or similar drugs, people with very low blood cell counts, people with severe liver problems, anyone allergic to doxorubicin or similar chemotherapy drugs, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Prescription

Chemotherapy (Anthracycline anti-cancer drug)

Doxorubicin Hydrochloride

Q: What is Doxorubicin Hydrochloride used for?

Breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, stomach cancer, blood cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma, bone cancer, soft tissue cancers

Last reviewed June 2026

Who is this for?

What is this drug?

Doxorubicin is a powerful cancer-fighting drug (chemotherapy) that works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells so they cannot grow or multiply. It is given as an injection in a hospital setting by trained medical professionals.

What is it used for?

Breast cancerlung cancerovarian cancerbladder cancerthyroid cancerstomach cancerblood cancers like leukaemia and lymphomabone cancersoft tissue cancers

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Cancer Treatment

How it works

Intercalates into DNA double helix and inhibits topoisomerase II, preventing DNA unwinding and triggering apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. Additionally generates reactive oxygen species that cause direct cytotoxic damage to malignant cell membranes and organelles.

Prescription Required

You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.

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What to watch out for

Only receive this drug in a proper hospital or cancer treatment centre — never buy chemotherapy drugs from roadside vendors or unregistered pharmacies. Make sure you attend all your follow-up appointments so your doctor can check your heart and blood regularly. Report any fever above 38°C immediately as your body's ability to fight infections will be very low during treatment.

Common Side Effects

Nausea and vomiting
hair loss (your hair will usually grow back after treatment ends)
feeling very tired and weak
mouth sores and difficulty eating
your urine may turn red or orange for a day or two after treatment — this is normal and not blood

Serious Side Effects

Heart problems — report any chest pain
swelling of legs
or difficulty breathing immediately. Severe infection signs like high fever
chills
or sore throat (this drug weakens your immune system). Unusual bleeding or bruising that does not stop.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor about ALL other drugs you are taking. Doxorubicin interacts dangerously with other heart-affecting drugs like cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab. Avoid alcohol completely during treatment as it adds extra stress to your liver and heart. Live vaccines (like yellow fever vaccine) should be avoided during treatment because your immune system is weakened.

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Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Warning

Doxorubicin is NOT safe during pregnancy — it can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby, and it passes into breast milk, so breastfeeding must be stopped during treatment.

Who Should NOT Take This

People with serious heart disease or heart failure
people who have already received the maximum lifetime dose of doxorubicin or similar drugs
people with very low blood cell counts
people with severe liver problems
anyone allergic to doxorubicin or similar chemotherapy drugs
and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

How to Store

This drug is stored and handled only in hospitals and pharmacies. It must be kept in a refrigerator (2–8°C) and protected from light. It should never be stored at home. Keep far away from children — this drug is extremely dangerous if handled incorrectly.

For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.