


Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml Concentrate for Solution for Infusion EFG
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Contents of the pack:
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Doxorubicin Accord belongs to a group of medicines called anthracyclines. These medicines are also known as anticancer medicines, chemotherapy or 'chemo'. They are used in the treatment of various types of cancer to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. Often, a combination of different types of anticancer medicines is used to achieve better results and minimize side effects.
Doxorubicin Accord is used to treat the following types of cancer:
Do not use Doxorubicin Accord
You must not receive the medicine through a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) in the bladder:
Warnings and precautions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you suffer from or have suffered from any of the following medical conditions or diseases:
You must also inform your doctor:
Before starting treatment with Doxorubicin Accord and during treatment, your doctor will perform the following tests:
During treatment with doxorubicin, it is possible that your bone marrow may not be able to produce enough blood cells and platelets, and your blood count may change; for this reason, blood tests must be performed before and during each treatment. The following symptoms may occur as a result of a lack of blood cells and/or platelets: fever, infections, blood poisoning, bleeding and tissue damage. If you have a fever, you must contact your doctor immediately.
Skin eruption along the vein in which the medicine is administered is not unusual and may be followed by inflammation of the vein (phlebitis). Hardening or thickening of the vein wall may occur, especially if the medicine is administered repeatedly in a thin vein. If the medicine leaks from the blood vessel into the surrounding tissue (extravasation), local pain, severe inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue (cellulitis) and tissue damage may occur. Tell a nurse if you experience a burning sensation during injection: the infusion must be stopped immediately and the needle reinserted in another vein.
Your doctor will carefully monitor your heart function during treatment, as:
As a rule, this medicine is not recommended in combination with live attenuated vaccines. Contact with people recently vaccinated against polio should be avoided.
During treatment with doxorubicin, inflammation of the mucous membranes (mainly in the mouth, less frequently in the oesophagus) may occur. This is manifested as pain or burning sensation, skin eruption, ulceration of the superficial mucosa (often on the entire side of the tongue or under the tongue), bleeding and infections. Any mouth inflammation usually appears shortly after administration of the medicine and in severe cases may progress to mucosal ulcers within a few days; however, in most cases, the patient recovers from this side effect by the third week of treatment.
Nausea, vomiting and occasionally diarrhoea may occur. These can be prevented or alleviated with appropriate treatment that your doctor may prescribe for you.
Discolouration of the urine (which is normal and related to the colour of the medicine). You must inform your doctor if this does not stop after a few days or if you think there is blood in your urine. Inform your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Doxorubicin may cause infertility problems and damage to reproductive cells. Both men and women must use effective contraceptive methods during treatment and for a period after completing treatment with doxorubicin (see the section "Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility"). If you wish to become pregnant after treatment with doxorubicin, you must talk to your doctor about genetic counselling and options for preserving fertility before starting treatment.
Skin reactions and hypersensitivity reactions:
Using Doxorubicin Accord with other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using or have recently used or might use any other medicines.
The following medicines may interact with Doxorubicin Accord:
Note that this may also apply to medicines used recently.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
In animal experiments, it has been observed that doxorubicin crosses the placenta and causes damage to the foetus. If you are pregnant, your doctor will only give you doxorubicin if the benefit of treatment outweighs the potential harm to the foetus. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or think you may be.
Women must not become pregnant during treatment with doxorubicin or for up to 7 months after treatment. Men must take adequate precautions to ensure that their partner does not become pregnant during treatment with doxorubicin or for up to 4 months after treatment.
Breast-feeding
Do not breast-feed while being treated with Doxorubicin Accord and for at least 14 days after the last dose. The medicine may pass into your baby through breast milk and may harm your child.
Fertility
Men should seek advice on the cryopreservation (or cryoconservation) of sperm before treatment, due to the possibility of irreversible infertility as a consequence of treatment with Doxorubicin Accord.
If you are considering becoming a parent after treatment, consult your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Due to the frequent occurrence of nausea and vomiting, do not drive or operate machines.
Doxorubicin Accord contains sodium
Patients on low-sodium diets should be aware that this medicine contains 3.5 mg (0.15 mmol) of sodium per ml. The different pack sizes of this medicine contain the following amounts of sodium:
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per 5 ml vial, i.e. it is "essentially sodium-free".
This medicine contains 35.42 mg of sodium (a major component of kitchen/table salt) per 10 ml vial. This is equivalent to 1.77% of the maximum recommended daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
This medicine contains 88.55 mg of sodium (a major component of kitchen/table salt) per 25 ml vial. This is equivalent to 4.43% of the maximum recommended daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
This medicine contains 177.10 mg of sodium (a major component of kitchen/table salt) per 50 ml vial. This is equivalent to 8.85% of the maximum recommended daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
This medicine contains 354.20 mg of sodium (a major component of kitchen/table salt) per 100 ml vial. This is equivalent to 17.71% of the maximum recommended daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
Form and administration route
Doxorubicin Accord should only be administered under the supervision of a doctor with experience in cancer treatment.
Your doctor will decide the dose you will receive.
Do not administer the medicine yourself. The medicine will be administered to you as part of an intravenous infusion, in a blood vessel, under the supervision of specialists. You will undergo regular check-ups during and after treatment. If you suffer from superficial cancer of the urinary bladder, you may receive the medicine directly into the bladder (intravesical use).
Posology
Your doctor will decide the dose you will receive.
The dose is usually calculated based on your body surface area. Doses of 60-75 mg per square metre of body surface area are usually administered every 3 weeks when this medicine is used alone. It may be necessary to reduce the dose to 30-60 mg per square metre of body surface area and prolong the treatment interval when administered in combination with other anticancer medicines. Your doctor will tell you the amount you need. If administered weekly, the recommended dose is 15 to 20 mg per square metre of body surface area. Your doctor will tell you the amount you need.
Patients with reduced liver and kidney function
In case of reduced liver or kidney function, the dose must be reduced. Your doctor will tell you the amount you need.
Children/elderly or patients after radiotherapy
It may be necessary to reduce the dose in children and the elderly or if you have received radiotherapy. Your doctor will tell you the amount you need.
Patient with bone marrow suppression
It may be necessary to reduce the dose in patients with bone marrow suppression. Your doctor will tell you the amount you need.
Obese patients
In obese patients, the initial dose may be reduced or the dosing interval prolonged. Your doctor will tell you the amount and frequency you need.
If you use more Doxorubicin Accord than you should
During and after treatment, your doctor or nurse will closely monitor your progress. The symptoms of an overdose are an extension of the possible side effects of Doxorubicin Accord, in particular, changes in the blood, gastrointestinal and heart problems. Heart disorders may occur up to six months after receiving an overdose.
In the event of an overdose, your doctor will take the necessary measures, such as a blood transfusion and/or treatment with antibiotics.
Tell your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
If you forget to use a dose of Doxorubicin Accord
Your doctor will decide the duration of your treatment with Doxorubicin Accord. If treatment is interrupted before completing the recommended treatment cycles, the effects of therapy with Doxorubicin Accord may be reduced. Consult your doctor if you wish to interrupt treatment.
If you stop treatment with Doxorubicin Accord
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Doxorubicin Accord can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.
In certain individuals, this medication may cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) that can be life-threatening. Contact a doctor immediately if you notice the sudden onset of breathing difficulties, swelling of the face and throat, and general discomfort (shock).
Doxorubicin severely impairs the immune system's response capacity, so there is a significant risk of infection or infestation that can cause a generalized infection related to the entry of microbes into the blood (septicemia). Contact a doctor immediately in case of high fever because blood poisoning can be fatal.
Other side effects that may occur are as follows:
Very Common:may affect more than 1 in 10 people
Common:may affect up to 1 in 10 people
Uncommon:may affect up to 1 in 100 people
Rare:may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
Frequency Not Known:(frequency cannot be estimated from available data)
Reporting of Adverse Effects:
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect that is not listed in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medication.
All materials used for preparation and administration, or those that have come into contact with cisplatin in any way, must be disposed of in accordance with local requirements for cytotoxics
Unopened vials: 18 months
Opened vials: The product must be used immediately after opening the vial
Physical and chemical stability has been demonstrated in 0.9% sodium chloride injection and 5% dextrose injection for a maximum of 28 days at 2-8°C and for a maximum of 7 days at 25°C, if prepared in light-protected glass containers
From a microbiological point of view, the product must be used immediately. If not used immediately, the storage times during use and the conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user. Normally, they should not exceed 24 hours, and the temperature should be between 2°C and 8°C, unless the dilution has been carried out under controlled and validated aseptic conditions
Composition of Doxorubicin Accord
The active ingredient is doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Each ml contains 2 mg of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Each 5 ml vial contains 10 mg of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Each 10 ml vial contains 20 mg of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Each 25 ml vial contains 50 mg of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Each 50 ml vial contains 100 mg of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Each 100 ml vial contains 200 mg of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Product Appearance and Container Content
Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion EFG is a clear, red solution that is practically free of particles.
Container sizes:
Some container sizes may not be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Accord Healthcare S.L.U.
World Trade Center
Moll de Barcelona, s/n
Edifici Est, 6ª planta
08039 Barcelona
Spain
Manufacturer
Accord Healthcare Polska Sp.z o.o.,
ul. Lutomierska 50,
95-200 Pabianice, Poland
or
Accord Healthcare B.V.,
Winthontlaan 200,
3526 KV Utrecht,
Netherlands
or
Accord Healthcare single member S.A.
64th Km National Road Athens,
Lamia, Schimatari, 32009,
Greece
This medicinal product is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names
Member State | Medicinal Product Name |
United Kingdom | Doxorubicin 2 mg/ml Concentrate for Solution for Infusion |
Austria | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml Konzentrat zur Herstellung einer Infusionslösung |
Belgium | Doxorubicin Accord Healthcare 2 mg/ml, solution à diluer pour perfusion/ concentraat voor oplossing voor infusie / Konzentrat zur Herstellung einer Infusionslösung |
Bulgaria | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml Concentrate for Solution for Infusion |
Germany | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml Konzentrat zur Herstellung einer Infusionslösung |
Denmark | Doxorubicin Accord |
Estonia | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml |
Spain | Doxorubicina Accord 2 mg/ml concentrado para solución para perfusión EFG |
Finland | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml Infuusiokonsentraatti, liuosta varten/koncentrat till infusionsvätska, lösning |
Hungary | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml koncentrátum oldatos infúzióhoz |
Ireland | Doxorubicin 2 mg/ml Concentrate for Solution for Infusion |
Italy | Doxorubicina AHCL |
Lithuania | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml koncentratas infuziniam tirpalui |
Latvia | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml koncentrats infuziju šķiduma pagatavošanai |
Netherlands | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml Concentraat voor oplossing voor infusie |
Norway | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml Konsentrat til infusjonsvæke |
Poland | Doxorubicinum Accord |
Portugal | Doxorrubicina Accord |
Romania | Doxorubicină Accord 2 mg/ml concentrat pentru soluție perfuzabilă |
Sweden | Doxorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml Koncentrat till infusionsvätska, lösning |
Slovenia | Doksorubicin Accord 2 mg/ml koncentrat za raztopino za infundiranje |
Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet: November 2023
Detailed and updated information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
This information is intended only for healthcare professionals
Posology and Method of Administration
Doxorubicin injection should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician with extensive experience in cytotoxic therapy. Additionally, patients should be carefully and frequently monitored during treatment.
Due to the risk of cardiomyopathy, which is often fatal, it is necessary to evaluate the risks and benefits of each patient before each application.
Doxorubicin is administered intravenously and intravesically and should not be administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intrathecally. Doxorubicin can be administered intravenously as an injection over a few minutes, as a short infusion of up to one hour, or as a continuous infusion of up to 96 hours.
The solution is administered through a uniform flow tube system for intravenous infusion with a 9 mg/ml (0.9%) sodium chloride injectable solution or a 50 mg/ml (5%) dextrose injectable solution over 3-10 minutes. This technique minimizes the risk of thrombophlebitis or perivenous extravasation, which can lead to local cellulitis, blister formation, and severe tissue necrosis. Direct intravenous injection is not recommended due to the risk of extravasation, which can occur even in the presence of adequate blood return by aspiration with a needle.
Intravenous Administration:
The dose of doxorubicin depends on the posology, the patient's general health status, and previous treatment. The dosage regimen of doxorubicin hydrochloride may vary according to the indication (solid tumors or acute leukemia) and according to its use in the specific treatment regimen (as a single agent or in combination with other cytotoxic agents, or as part of multidisciplinary procedures that include a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and hormonal treatment).
Monotherapy
The dose is usually calculated based on body surface area (mg/m2). On this basis, a dose of 60-75 mg/m2 of body surface area every three weeks is recommended when doxorubicin is used as a single agent.
Combination Regimen
When doxorubicin is administered in combination with other antitumor agents with overlapping toxicities, such as high-dose IV cyclophosphamide or related anthracycline compounds, such as daunorubicin, idarubicin, and/or epirubicin, the dose of doxorubicin should be reduced to 30-60 mg/m2 every 3-4 weeks.
In patients who cannot receive the full dose (e.g., in cases of immunosuppression, old age), an alternative posology is 15-20 mg/m2 of body surface area per week.
Intravesical Administration:
Doxorubicin can be administered by intravesical instillation in the treatment of superficial urinary bladder carcinoma or in the prophylaxis of tumor recurrence after transurethral resection (TUR) in patients at high risk of recurrence. The recommended dose of doxorubicin for local intravesical treatment of superficial bladder tumors is the instillation of 30-50 mg in 25-50 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) sodium chloride injectable solution. The optimal concentration is approximately 1 mg/ml. In general, the solution should be kept intravesically for 1-2 hours. During this period, the patient should be rotated 90° every 15 minutes. The patient should not drink liquids for 12 hours before treatment to avoid undesirable effects of urine dilution (this should reduce urine production to approximately 50 ml/h). Instillation can be repeated at an interval of 1 week to 1 month, depending on whether the treatment is therapeutic or prophylactic.
Patient with Hepatic Impairment
Since doxorubicin is primarily excreted through the liver and bile, the elimination of the drug may be decreased in patients with hepatic impairment or biliary obstruction, which could lead to severe side effects.
General dose adjustment recommendations in patients with hepatic impairment are based on serum bilirubin concentration:
Serum Bilirubin | Recommended Dose |
1.2 – 3.0 mg/100 ml | 50% |
3.1 – 5.0 mg/100 ml | 25% |
Doxorubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic function impairment.
Patient with Renal Impairment
In patients with renal impairment (GFR <10 ml min), only 75% of the planned dose should be administered.< p>
In order to avoid cardiomyopathy, it is recommended that the total cumulative dose of doxorubicin (including related medications, such as daunorubicin) not exceed 450-550 mg/m2 of body surface area. If a patient with concomitant heart disease receives mediastinal and/or cardiac irradiation or previous treatment with alkylating agents, or if the patient is at high risk (hypertension for more than 5 years, previous coronary, valvular, or myocardial lesions, or age over 70 years), the maximum total dose should not exceed 400 mg/m2 of body surface area, and cardiac function should be monitored.
Dose in Children
The dose in children may need to be reduced; consult treatment protocols and specialized literature.
Obese Patients and Patients with Neoplastic Infiltration of Bone Marrow
In the case of obese patients and patients with neoplastic infiltration of bone marrow, it may be considered to administer a reduced initial dose or a prolonged dosing interval.
Incompatibilities
Doxorubicin should not be mixed with heparin, as a precipitate may form, and should not be mixed with 5-fluorouracil, as it may degrade. Prolonged contact with any alkaline pH solution should be avoided, as it may lead to hydrolysis of the drug.
Until detailed information on the compatibility of mixtures is available, doxorubicin should not be mixed with other medications except for 0.9% sodium chloride injection and 5% dextrose injection.
Prepared Infusion Solutions
Physicochemical stability has been demonstrated in 0.9% sodium chloride injection and 5% dextrose injection for up to 28 days at 2-8°C and up to 7 days at 25°C, if prepared in light-protected glass containers.
From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, the storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user. Normally, storage should not exceed 24 hours, and the temperature should be between 2°C and 8°C, unless the dilution has been carried out under controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
Elimination
Medicinal product residues, as well as all materials used for dilution and administration, should be destroyed according to the standard hospital procedures applicable to cytotoxic agents and in accordance with current legislation on the disposal of hazardous waste.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local provisions for cytotoxic agents.
Shelf Life and Storage
Unopened vials: 18 months.
Opened vials: the product should be used immediately after opening the vial.
Store in a refrigerator (between 2°C and 8°C).
Keep the vial in the outer packaging to protect it from light.
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Discuss dosage, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and prescription renewal for DOXORUBICIN ACCORD 2 mg/ml CONCENTRATE FOR INFUSION SOLUTION – subject to medical assessment and local rules.