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Generic Name: Epirubicin
Brand Name(s): Ellence®
IUPAC: (7S,9S)-7-[(2R,4S,5R,6S)-4-amino-5-hydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-6,9,11-trihydroxy-9-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-4-methoxy-8,10-dihydro-7H-tetracene-5,12-dione
FDA Approval: yes
Manufacturer Link
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Usage: Epirubicin is used to treat breast cancers with lymph node involvement after the tumor
is removed (resected). Epirubicin is administered as an intravenous infusion.
(1)Mechanism: Epirubicin (Ellence®) is an anthracycline antibiotic that affects cancer cells in two different ways.The drug wedges in
DNA (intercalates). This stops the DNA from being copied (
replication) and/or being used to make proteins. The drug inhibits the activity of an
enzyme,
topoisomerase type II. This leads to breaks in the DNA.
Side Effects: Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, mouth sores. Epirubicin may cause blood cell counts to decrease. Patients should have blood tests before each treatment cycle to monitor this. Patients may also take an antibiotic during treatment to prevent infections. Epirubicin may cause more serious delayed side effects which include heart problems or acute myelogenous
leukemia. However, these serious effects are rare.
Contraindications: Epirubicin should not be taken by women who are pregnant and patients should not become pregnant while using this drug, as it may have harmful affects on the developing fetus. This drug may have effects on fertility after treatment has ended.
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