Drug reference

Epirubicin

Anthracycline · Antineoplastic

Also known as Epirubicin hydrochloride

AnthracyclineAntineoplastic

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

11 major

incl. contraindicated

PREGNANCY

—

not curated

Top interactionssee all 11 →

AdalimumabSevereDatabaseDDInter
AmiodaroneSevereDatabaseDDInter
AmisulprideSevereDatabaseDDInter
AnagrelideSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Epirubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic structurally related to doxorubicin hydrochloride. Like many cytotoxic antibiotics, it acts as a radiomimetic.

Indications

Treatment and prophylaxis of certain forms of superficial bladder cancerBreast cancerAdjunctive therapy for treatment of breast cancerAdjuvant therapy of breast carcinomaGastroesophageal carcinomaPancreatic carcinomaHepatic carcinomaBladder carcinoma

Dosing

Adult: 50 ml . NHS indicative price = £3.70 . Drug Tariff (Part IXa)100 ml . NHS. 100 ml . NHS indicative price = £3.49 . Drug Tariff (Part IXa). 60 ml . NHS indicative price = £4.94 . Drug Tariff (Part IXa)

Pharmacokinetics

Protein binding

Rapidly enters the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, and spleen; does not cross the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism

Converted to an active alcohol intermediate.

Excretion

Cleared by a complex pattern of hepatic metabolism and biliary excretion.

Side effects

Common

Micturition disorders (from bladder instillation)Reduction in bladder capacity (from bladder instillation)Bone marrow depressionStomatitisAlopeciaGastrointestinal disturbancesRashCardiac toxicity (acute or chronic)Hyperpigmentation of skin and oral mucosaPainful oral ulcersFeverG.i. symptomsRed urine

Serious