Ellence

 
Generic Name: epirubicin

Brands: Ellence

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What is the most important information I should know about Ellence?

· Ellence should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

· Serious side effects have been reported with the use of Ellence including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); heart problems; tissue damage at the injection site; decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection); severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or sores in the mouth; and others. Secondary cancers such as leukemia have also been reported during and following treatment with Ellence. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with Ellence.

 

What is Ellence?

· Ellence is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Ellence interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

· Ellence is used to treat breast cancer.

· Ellence may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Ellence?

· Do not use Ellence without first talking to your doctor if you have     ·kidney disease;     ·liver disease;     ·heart problems such as heart disease, a history of heart attack, or irregular heartbeats;     ·poor bone marrow function or blood problems;     ·received radiation therapy that encompassed the heart; or     ·previously received treatment with doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), doxorubicin liposomal (Doxil), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), daunorubicin liposomal (Daunoxome), idarubicin (Idamycin), or mitoxantrone (Novantrone).

· The use of Ellence may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Ellence is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that Ellence is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Ellence without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with Ellence if necessary. Men being treated with Ellence should also use appropriate contraception during treatment as the medication may cause chromosomal damage to the sperm.

· Because of the potential for serious side effects in a nursing infant, breast-feeding should be avoided during treatment with Ellence.

· The safety and effectiveness of Ellence in children has not been established.

 

How should I use Ellence?

· Ellence should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

· Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with Ellence depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

· Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with Ellence to monitor progress and side effects.

· Skin accidentally exposed to Ellence should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

· Your healthcare provider will store Ellence as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing Ellence at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Ellence.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· If for any reason an overdose of Ellence is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

· Symptoms of a Ellence overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

 

What should I avoid while using Ellence?

· Skin accidentally exposed to Ellence should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

· Ellence can lower the activity of the immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with Ellence. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

 

What are the possible side effects of Ellence?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects from Ellence, contact your doctor immediately:     ·an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);     ·decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection);     ·congestive heart failure (difficulty breathing, fluid retention, chest pain);     ·irregular heartbeats;     ·tissue or vein reactions near the site of administration;     ·severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite;     ·inflamation and sores inside the mouth, throat, or intestines; or     ·fever, chills, or other signs of infection.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use Ellence and talk to your doctor if you experience:     ·mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite;     ·facial flushing during administration;     ·darkening of the skin or nails;     ·temporary hair loss; or     ·red colored urine for 1 or 2 days following a dose.

· Secondary cancers such as leukemia have also been reported during and following treatment with Ellence. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with Ellence.

· Other side effects have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side effect that occurs during treatment with Ellence.

 

What other drugs will affect Ellence?

· Do not use Ellence without first talking to your doctor if you have had previous treatment with Ellence (Adriamycin, Rubex), Ellence liposomal (Doxil), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), daunorubicin liposomal (Daunoxome), idarubicin (Idamycin), or mitoxantrone (Novantrone). There is a maximum amount of these medications that should be administered to an individual.

· Before using Ellence, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines.     ·cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB, others); or     ·a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Diltia XT, Dilacor XR, Tiazac), verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Verelan), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), and others.

· You may not be able to take Ellence, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with Ellence. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with Ellence.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ellence. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with Ellence.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your healthcare provider may have additional information about Ellence that you may read.

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