Doxorubicin
Also known as: Adriamycin, Doxil, Adriamycin RDF, Adriamycin PFS, Rubex, Caelyx, Myocet
**Important Information for Pet Owners Receiving Doxorubicin Therapy:** * **Red Urine**: Doxorubicin is red, and it is completely normal for your pet's urine to be colored orange to red for 1 to 2 days after treatment. This is not blood and is not harmful. * **Handling Waste Safely**: The drug is excreted in your pet's waste. Avoid direct skin contact with urine or feces. Drug residues can be found in a treated dog's urine for up to 21 days and in feces for several days. Wear gloves when cleaning up accidents and wash hands thoroughly. * **Physical Contact**: Do not allow your pet to lick human skin, especially the faces of children or immunocompromised individuals, while they are actively receiving chemotherapy. * **Expected Side Effects**: Mild loss of appetite and occasional vomiting are common 2 to 5 days after therapy. * **When to Call the Vet**: Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet shows signs of profound depression, extreme lethargy, abnormal bleeding, bruising, or bloody diarrhea. * **Hair Loss**: Some pets (especially certain dog breeds with continuously growing hair like Poodles or Terriers) may experience hair loss or thinning.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Antineoplastic
- Lymphoma, sarcomas, carcinomas
- Antineoplastic
- Lymphoma, soft tissue sarcomas
- Antineoplastic
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Bone marrow suppression (nadir 5-10 days)
- Cardiac toxicity (acute arrhythmias and cumulative cardiomyopathy)
- Nephrotoxicity (particularly in cats)
- Gastroenteritis (anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Alopecia
- Stomatitis
- Immediate hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis (primarily in dogs)
- Severe tissue ulceration and necrosis (if extravasated)
Cautions & contraindications
- Pre-existing severe myelosuppression
- Impaired cardiac function
- Patients who have reached the total cumulative dose limit of doxorubicin and/or daunorubicin
- Cats with pre-existing renal insufficiency
- > **WARNING: Severe Vesicant & Cardiotoxin** * **Extravasation Risk**: Doxorubicin is extremely irritating to tissues. Perivascular administration can cause severe tissue ulceration and necrosis. Must be administered IV slowly (over at least 10 minutes) via a perfectly placed, free-flowing catheter. If extravasation occurs, treat immediately (e.g., topical DMSO or IV dexrazoxane). * **Cardiotoxicity**: Risk increases greatly when cumulative dose exceeds 240 mg/m2 in dogs (and likely cats). Breeds predisposed to cardiomyopathy (Dobermans, Great Danes, Rottweilers, Boxers) require extremely careful monitoring. * **MDR1/ABCB1 Mutation**: Actively transported by p-glycoprotein. Dogs with MDR1 mutations (Collies, Australian Shepherds, etc.) are at high risk for severe toxicity. Dose reduction of 25-30% is recommended. * **Hypersensitivity**: Immediate reactions (urticaria, facial swelling, hypotension) can occur, especially in dogs. Pretreatment with antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine) or dexamethasone is often recommended. * **Handling**: Teratogenic and embryotoxic. Prepare in a biological safety cabinet. Wear gloves. Wash immediately if skin contact occurs.
Drug interactions
- Antineoplastic agents, other: May potentiate the toxic effects of doxorubicin
- Calcium-channel blockers: Potentially could increase risk for cardiotoxicity associated with doxorubicin
- Carbamazepine: Decreased carbamazepine levels
- Cisplatin: Increased risk of toxicity for both agents; carefully weigh risks versus benefits
- Cyclophosphamide: May increase doxorubicin blood levels (AUC); doxorubicin may potentiate and prolong hematologic toxicity; coma and seizures have been reported in human patients
- Cyclosporine: Can increase doxorubicin and doxorubicinol (active metabolite) levels
- Glucosamine: May reduce doxorubicin effectiveness; use together not recommended in humans
- Phenytoin: Doxorubicin may decrease phenytoin levels
- Phenobarbital: May increase elimination and reduce blood levels of doxorubicin
- Streptozocin: May inhibit doxorubicin metabolism
- Verapamil: May increase doxorubicin levels
Frequently asked questions
What is Doxorubicin used for in pets?
**Important Information for Pet Owners Receiving Doxorubicin Therapy:** * **Red Urine**: Doxorubicin is red, and it is completely normal for your pet's urine to be colored orange to red for 1 to 2 days after treatment. This is not blood and is not harmful. * **Handling Waste Safely**: The drug is excreted in your pet's waste. Avoid direct skin contact with urine or feces. Drug residues can be found in a treated dog's urine for up to 21 days and in feces for several days. Wear gloves when cleaning up accidents and wash hands thoroughly. * **Physical Contact**: Do not allow your pet to lick human skin, especially the faces of children or immunocompromised individuals, while they are actively receiving chemotherapy. * **Expected Side Effects**: Mild loss of appetite and occasional vomiting are common 2 to 5 days after therapy. * **When to Call the Vet**: Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet shows signs of profound depression, extreme lethargy, abnormal bleeding, bruising, or bloody diarrhea. * **Hair Loss**: Some pets (especially certain dog breeds with continuously growing hair like Poodles or Terriers) may experience hair loss or thinning.
Is Doxorubicin safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
Worried about your pet?
Peqaboo’s AI helps you track symptoms, understand lab reports, and know when to see a vet.
Get the Peqaboo app