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Brand Names: Mitoxantrone injection by Novopharm
Common Name: mitoxantrone
What is this drug used for?
Mitoxantrone belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medications known as antineoplastics. It kills cancer cells by interfering with their growth and reproduction. It is used alone or in combination with other antineoplastic medications totreat many types of cancer. These include certain types of leukemia (a cancer of the white blood cells), breast cancer, lymphoma (a cancer of the lymph cells), and hepatoma (a cancer of the liver).
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Is there any reason not to take this drug?
Mitoxantrone should not be taken by anyone who:
- is allergic to mitoxantrone or any of the ingredients of the medication
- is allergic to the class of medications known as anthracyclines
- is breast-feeding
- has low blood cell counts caused by previous treatment with cancer medications or radiation therapy
- has severe liver problems and poor performance status
What about possible side effects?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
More common:
- blue-green-coloured urine (usually lasts 1 to 2 days after each dose)
- diarrhea
- headache
- nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
- temporary loss of hair
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common:
- sores in mouth and on lips
Less common:
- bluish discolouration of the white of the eye
- reduction in urine output
- seizures
- stomach pain
- yellow eyes or skin
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
More common:
- black or tarry stools
- cough
- shortness of breath
Less common:
- abnormal or fast heartbeat
- blood in urine or stools
- chest pain
- fever or chills
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- swelling of feet and lower legs
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
What if I am taking other drugs?
There may be an interaction between mitoxantrone and any of the following:
- amphotericin B
- azathioprine
- colchicine
- flucytosine
- ganciclovir
- interferon
- other cancer medications
- plicamycin
- probenecid
- sulfinpyrazone
- vaccines
- zidovudine
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
Other information:
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Blood clotting: This medication can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly. Symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.
Gout and kidney stones: Mitoxantrone may increase the levels of uric acid in the body, further increasing the risk for gout or kidney stones in people predisposed to these conditions.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, this medication can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people with contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills.
Pregnancy: There is a possibility of birth defect if either the man or the woman is using mitoxantrone at the time of conception, or if it is taken during pregnancy. Effective birth control should be practiced while using this medication. This medication may harm the baby if used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if mitoxantrone passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Special Instructions:
The recommended dose and dosing schedule of mitoxantrone varies according to the specific disease being treated, the response to therapy, and other medications or treatments being used. The dose administered is also based on body size. Mitoxantrone is usually injected into a vein through a specially prepared site on your skin. Very careful handling of this medication is required. Mitoxantrone is always given under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications.While you are receiving mitoxantrone your doctor may want you to drink extra fluids to help prevent kidney problems.
As well as interfering with the genetic material DNA of cancer cells, mitoxantrone can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects such as hair loss and mouth sores. Mitoxantrone can cause nausea and vomiting, but it is important to keep using this medicine even if you feel ill. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can advise you on how to reduce the effects of nausea and vomiting. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor as suggested in the section, "What side effects are possible with this medication?"
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
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