| Definition |
Adriamycin is a common chemotherapy agent in the treatment of leukaemia. It is more often than not used in conjunction with other chemotherapy agents in a multidrug regimen. It is is a cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic isolated from cultures of Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius. As such, it is an antineoplastic - adriamycin interferes with the growth of cancer cells. It is one of the older chemotherapy drugs, having been in use for decades for several types of cancer. Short Term Side Effects: Common: nausea and vomiting , sores on mouth and lips; Less Common: cough, fever/chills, fast or irregular heartbeat, swelling of extremities, diarrhea; Rare: black stools, blood in urine, pinpoint red spots on skin, unusual bleeding, wheezing, skin rash/itching. Adriamycin may turn the urine red which is not blood and should disappear within 2 days. Long Term Side Effects: hair loss (alopecia) during use - hair growth should return late in treatment or after treatment, possible sterility (weaker than some drugs) and heart toxicity (doses should be monitored).
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