Manufacturing Establishments1
FDA-registered manufacturing facilities and establishments involved in the production, packaging, or distribution of this drug product.
Gland Pharma Limited
650540227
Products3
Detailed information about drug products covered under this FDA approval, including NDC codes, dosage forms, ingredients, and administration routes.
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
Product Details
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
Product Details
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride
Product Details
Drug Labeling Information
Complete FDA-approved labeling information including indications, dosage, warnings, contraindications, and other essential prescribing details.
DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Recommended Dosage for Adjuvant Breast Cancer
The recommended dosage of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is 60 mg/m2 administered as an intravenous bolus on day 1 of each 21-day treatment cycle, in combination with cyclophosphamide, for a total of four cycles.
2.2 Recommended Dosage for Other Cancers
• The recommended dosage of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection when used as a
single agent is 60 mg/m2 to 75 mg/m2 intravenously every 21 days.
• The recommended dosage of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection, when
administered in combination with other chemotherapy drugs, is 40 mg/m2 to 75
mg/m2 intravenously every 21 to 28 days.
• Consider use of the lower Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection dose in the
recommended dosage range or longer intervals between cycles for heavily
pretreated patients, elderly patients, or obese patients.
• Cumulative doses above 550 mg/m2 are associated with an increased risk of
cardiomyopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
2.3 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions
Cardiomyopathy
Discontinue Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection in patients who develop signs or symptoms of cardiomyopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
2.4 Dosage Modifications for Hepatic Impairment
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C or serum bilirubin greater than 5 mg/dL) [see Contraindications (4)].
Dosage modifications for Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection in patients with elevated serum total bilirubin concentrations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5),Use in Specific Populations (8.6)] are provided in Table 1.
**Table 1. Recommended Dosage Modification for Elevated Serum Total Bilirubin ** | |
Serum total bilirubin concentration |
Dosage Modification |
1.2 to 3 mg/dL |
50% |
3.1 to 5 mg/dL |
75% |
greater than 5 mg/dL |
Do not initiate Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection; |
2.5 Preparation and Administration
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.1
Preparation
Dilution of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection
- Dilute Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injectionin 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP.
- Protect from light following preparation until completion of infusion.
- Use within 1 hour. If not used within 1 hour, discard the diluted product.
Administration
- Visually inspect for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Discard if the solution is discolored, cloudy, or contains particulate matter.
Administration by Intravenous Injection
- Administer diluted Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injectionas an intravenous injection through a central intravenous line or a secure and free-flowing peripheral venous line containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP.
- Administer intravenously over 3 to 10 minutes. Decrease the rate of infusion if erythematous streaking along the vein proximal to the site of infusion or facial flushing occur.
Administration by Continuous Intravenous Infusion
- Administer diluted Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection solution only through a central intravenous line. Decrease the rate of infusion if erythematous streaking along the vein proximal to the site of infusion or facial flushing occur.
- Protect from light from preparation for infusion until completion of infusion.
Management of Suspected Extravasation
Immediately discontinue Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection for burning or stinging sensation or other evidence indicating peri-venous infiltration or extravasation. Manage confirmed or suspected extravasation as follows:
- Do not remove the needle until attempts are made to aspirate extravasated fluid.
- Do not flush the line.
- Avoid applying pressure to the site.
- Apply ice to the site intermittently for 15 minutes, 4 times a day for 3 days.
- If the extravasation is in an extremity, elevate the extremity.
- In adults, consider administration of dexrazoxane [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Management of Contact with Skin or Eyes
Treat accidental contact with the skin or eyes immediately by copious lavage
with water, or soap and water, or sodium bicarbonate solution. Do not abrade
the skin by using a scrub brush. Seek medical attention.
Incompatibility with Other Drugs
Do not admix Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection with other drugs. If
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is mixed with heparin or fluorouracil, a
precipitate may form. Avoid contact with alkaline solutions which can lead to
hydrolysis of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS SECTION
Highlight: • Radiation-Induced Toxicity: Can be increased by the administration of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection. Radiation recall can occur in patients who receive Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection after prior radiation therapy (5.7).
• Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and on the use of effective contraception. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception. Advise males with pregnant partners to use condoms (5.8, 8.1, 8.3).
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Cardiomyopathy and Arrhythmias
Cardiomyopathy
Doxorubicin hydrochloride can result in myocardial damage, including acute
left ventricular failure. The risk of cardiomyopathy is generally proportional
to the cumulative exposure. Include prior doses of other anthracyclines or
anthracenediones in calculations of total cumulative dosage for doxorubicin
hydrochloride. Cardiomyopathy may develop during treatment or up to several
years after completion of treatment and can include decrease in LVEF and signs
and symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF). The probability of developing
cardiomyopathy is estimated to be 1 to 2% at a total cumulative dose of 300
mg/m2 of doxorubicin hydrochloride, 3 to 5% at a dose of 400 mg/m2, 5 to 8% at
a dose of 450 mg/m2, and 6 to 20% at a dose of 500 mg/m2, when doxorubicin
hydrochloride is administered every 3 weeks. There is an additive or
potentially synergistic increase in the risk of cardiomyopathy in patients who
have received radiotherapy to the mediastinum or concomitant therapy with
other known cardiotoxic agents, such as cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab.
Pericarditis and myocarditis have also been reported during or following doxorubicin hydrochloride treatment.
Assess left ventricular cardiac function (e.g., MUGA or echocardiogram) prior to initiation of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection, during treatment to detect acute changes, and after treatment to detect delayed cardiotoxicity. Increase the frequency of assessments as the cumulative dose exceeds 300 mg/m2. Use the same method of assessment of LVEF at all time points [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]. Discontinue Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection in patients who develop signs or symptoms of cardiomyopathy [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Consider the use of dexrazoxane to reduce the incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy due to doxorubicin hydrochloride administration in patients who have received a cumulative doxorubicin hydrochloride dose of 300 mg/m2 and who will continue to receive doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Arrhythmias
Doxorubicin hydrochloride can result in arrhythmias, including life-
threatening arrhythmias, during or within a few hours after doxorubicin
hydrochloride administration and at any time point during treatment.
Tachyarrhythmias, including sinus tachycardia, premature ventricular
contractions, and ventricular tachycardia, as well as bradycardia, can occur.
Electrocardiographic changes, including non-specific ST-T wave changes,
atrioventricular and bundle-branch block can also occur. These
electrocardiographic changes may be transient and self-limited and may not
require a dosage modification of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
5.2 Secondary Malignancies
The risk of developing secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is increased following treatment with doxorubicin hydrochloride. Cumulative incidences ranged from 0.2% at five years to 1.5% at 10 years in two separate trials involving the adjuvant treatment of women with breast cancer. These leukemias generally occur within 1 to 3 years of treatment.
5.3 Extravasation and Tissue Necrosis
Extravasation of doxorubicin hydrochloride can cause severe local tissue injury manifesting as blistering, ulceration, and necrosis requiring wide excision of the affected area and skin grafting. Extravasation should be considered if a patient experiences a burning or stinging sensation or shows other evidence indicating peri-venous infiltration or extravasation; however, extravasation may be present in patients who do not experience a stinging or burning sensation or when blood return is present on aspiration of the infusion needle.
When given via a peripheral venous line, infuse Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection over 10 minutes or less to minimize the risk of thrombosis or perivenous extravasation.
If extravasation is suspected, immediately discontinue the intravenous injection or continuous intravenous infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)]. Apply ice to the site intermittently for 15 minutes, 4 times a day for 3 days. In adults, if appropriate, administer dexrazoxane at the site of extravasation as soon as possible and within the first 6 hours after extravasation.
5.4 Severe Myelosuppression
Doxorubicin hydrochloride can cause myelosuppression. In Study 1, the incidence of severe myelosuppression was: grade 4 leukopenia (0.3%), grade 3 leukopenia (3%), and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (0.1%). A dose-dependent, reversible neutropenia is the predominant manifestation of myelosuppression from doxorubicin hydrochloride. When doxorubicin hydrochloride is administered every 21 days, the neutrophil count reaches its nadir 10 to 14 days after administration with recovery usually occurring by day 21.
Obtain complete blood counts prior to each treatment and carefully monitor patients during treatment for possible clinical complications due to myelosuppression. Delay next dose of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection if severe myelosuppression has not improved. Consider dose reduction for patients with prolonged myelosuppression based on severity of reaction.
5.5 Use in Patients with Hepatic Impairment
The clearance of doxorubicin is decreased in patients with elevated serum bilirubin with an increased risk of toxicity [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6),Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (defined as Child Pugh Class C or serum bilirubin level greater than 5 mg/dL) [see Contraindications (4)]. Reduce the dose of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection in patients with serum bilirubin levels of 1.2 to 5 mg/dL [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)]. Obtain liver tests including ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin prior to and during therapy.
5.6 Tumor Lysis Syndrome
Doxorubicin hydrochloride can induce tumor lysis syndrome in patients with rapidly growing tumors. Evaluate blood uric acid levels, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and creatinine after initial treatment. Hydration, urine alkalinization, and prophylaxis with allopurinol to prevent hyperuricemia may minimize potential complications of tumor lysis syndrome.
5.7 Potentiation of Radiation Toxicity and Radiation Recall
Doxorubicin hydrochloride can increase radiation-induced toxicity to the myocardium, mucosa, skin, and liver. Radiation recall, including but not limited to cutaneous and pulmonary toxicity, can occur in patients who receive doxorubicin hydrochloride after prior radiation therapy.
5.8 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on findings in animals and its mechanism of action, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman; avoid the use of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection during the 1st trimester. Available human data do not establish the presence or absence of major birth defects and miscarriage related to the use of doxorubicin hydrochloride during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Doxorubicin hydrochloride was teratogenic and embryotoxic in rats and rabbits at doses lower than the recommended human dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection and for 6 months after treatment. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection and for 3 months after treatment. Advise males with pregnant partners to use condoms during treatment with Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection and for at least 10 days after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1,8.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
DRUG INTERACTIONS SECTION
Highlight: • Avoid concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and/or P-gp (7.1).
• Do not administer doxorubicin hydrochloride in combination with trastuzumab due to increased risk of cardiac dysfunction (5.1, 7.2).
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection
Inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and P-gp
Concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-glycoprotein (P-gp), increased concentrations of doxorubicin, which may increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of doxorubicin hydrochloride. Avoid concomitant use of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection with inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp.
Inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp
Concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp may decrease the concentration of doxorubicin. Avoid concomitant use of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection with inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp.
Paclitaxel
Paclitaxel, when given prior to doxorubicin hydrochloride, increases the plasma-concentrations of doxorubicin and its metabolites. Administer Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection prior to paclitaxel if used concomitantly.
7.2 Concomitant Use of Trastuzumab
Concomitant use of trastuzumab and doxorubicin hydrochloride results in an
increased risk of cardiac dysfunction. Avoid concomitant administration of
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection and trastuzumab [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Patients receiving doxorubicin after stopping treatment with trastuzumab may
also be at an increased risk of developing cardiotoxicity. Trastuzumab may
persist in the circulation for up to 7 months. Therefore, avoid anthracycline-
based therapy for up to 7 months after stopping trastuzumab when possible. If
anthracyclines are used before this time, carefully monitor cardiac function.
7.3 Concomitant Use of Dexrazoxane****
Do not administer dexrazoxane as a cardioprotectant at the initiation of doxorubicin hydrochloride-containing chemotherapy regimens. In a randomized trial in women with metastatic breast cancer, initiation of dexrazoxane with doxorubicin hydrochloride-based chemotherapy resulted in a significantly lower tumor response rate (48% vs. 63%; p=0.007) and shorter time to progression compared to doxorubicin hydrochloride-based chemotherapy alone.
7.4 Concomitant Use of 6-Mercaptopurine****
Doxorubicin hydrochloride may potentiate 6-mercaptopurine-induced hepatotoxicity. In 11 patients with refractory leukemia treated with 6-mercaptopurine (500 mg/m2 intravenously daily for 5 days per cycle every 2 to 3 weeks) and doxorubicin hydrochloride (50 mg/m2 intravenous once per cycle every 2 to 3 weeks) alone or with vincristine and prednisone, all developed hepatic dysfunction manifested by increased total serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase.
ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION
Highlight: The most common (>10%) adverse reactions are alopecia, nausea and vomiting (6.1).
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Gland Pharma at 864-879-9994 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling.
- Cardiomyopathy and Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
- Secondary Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
- Extravasation and Tissue Necrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
- Severe Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]
- Radiation Sensitization and Radiation Recall [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Breast Cancer
The safety data below were collected from 1492 women who received doxorubicin hydrochloride at a dose of 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide at a dose of 600 mg/m2 (AC) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles for the adjuvant treatment of axillary lymph node positive breast cancer. The median number of cycles received was 4. Selected adverse reactions reported in this study are provided in Table 2. No treatment-related deaths were reported in patients on either arm of the study.
Table 2. Selected Adverse Reactions in Patients with Early Breast Cancer Involving Axillary Lymph Nodes | ||
Adverse Reactions |
AC* N=1492 |
Conventional CMF N=739 |
% |
% | |
Alopecia |
92 |
71 |
Vomiting Vomiting ≤12 hours Vomiting >12 hours Intractable |
34 37 5 |
25 12 2 |
Leukopenia Grade 3 (1,000 to 1,999/mm3) Grade 4 (<1,000/mm3) |
3.4 0.3 |
9.4 0.3 |
Shock, sepsis |
2 |
1 |
Systemic infection |
2 |
1 |
Cardiac dysfunction Asymptomatic Transient Symptomatic |
0.2 0.1 0.1 |
0.1 0 0 |
Thrombocytopenia Grade 3 (25,000 to 49,999/mm3) Grade 4 (<25,000/mm3) |
0 0.1 |
0.3 0 |
AC = doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide; CMF = cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil
- Includes pooled data from patients who received either AC for 4 cycles or AC for 4 cycles followed by CMF for 3 cycles
6.2 Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Injection. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Cardiac – Cardiogenic shock
Cutaneous – Skin and nail hyperpigmentation, oncolysis, rash, itching, photosensitivity, urticaria, acral erythema, palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia
Gastrointestinal – Nausea, mucositis, stomatitis, necrotizing colitis, typhlitis, gastric erosions, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, hematochezia, esophagitis, anorexia, abdominal pain, dehydration, diarrhea, hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa
Hypersensitivity – Anaphylaxis
Laboratory Abnormalities – Increased ALT, increased AST
Neurological – Peripheral sensory and motor neuropathy, seizures, coma
Ocular – Conjunctivitis, keratitis, lacrimation
Vascular – Phlebosclerosis, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, hot flashes, thromboembolism
Other – Malaise/asthenia, fever, chills, weight gain
CLINICAL STUDIES SECTION
14 CLINICAL STUDIES
14.1 Adjuvant Breast Cancer
The efficacy of doxorubicin hydrochloride-containing regimens for the post- operative, adjuvant treatment of surgically resected breast cancer was evaluated in a meta-analysis conducted by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). The EBCTCG meta-analyses compared cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) to no chemotherapy (19 trials including 7523 patients) and doxorubicin hydrochloride-containing regimens with CMF as an active control (6 trials including 3510 patients). Data from the meta-analysis of trials comparing CMF to no therapy were used to establish the historical treatment effect size for CMF regimens. The major efficacy outcome measures were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).
Of the 3510 women (2157 received doxorubicin hydrochloride-containing regimens and 1353 received CMF treatment) with early breast cancer involving axillary lymph nodes included in the six trials from the meta-analyses, approximately 70% were premenopausal and 30% were postmenopausal.
At the time of the meta-analysis, 1745 first recurrences and 1348 deaths had occurred. The analyses demonstrated that doxorubicin hydrochloride-containing regimens retained at least 75% of the historical CMF adjuvant effect on DFS with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.82,1.01) and on OS with a HR of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.81, 1.03). Efficacy results are provided in Table 3 and Figures 1 and 2.
Table 3. Summary of Randomized Trials Comparing Doxorubicin Hydrochloride- Containing Regimens Versus CMF in Meta-Analysis | |||||
** Study** |
** Regimens** |
No. of Cycles |
No. of Patients |
** Doxorubicin Hydrochloride-Containing Regimens vs. CMF HR** (95% CI)** | |
** DFS** |
OS | ||||
NSABP B-15 (1984) |
AC CMF |
4 6 |
1562* 776 |
0.93 (0.82, 1.06) |
0.97 (0.83, 1.12) |
SECSG 2 |
FAC CMF |
6 6 |
260 268 |
0.86 (0.66, 1.13) |
0.93 (0.69, 1.26) |
ONCOFRANCE (1978) |
FACV CMF |
12 12 |
138 113 |
0.71 (0.49, 1.03) |
0.65 (0.44, 0.96) |
SE Sweden BCG A (1980) |
AC CMF |
6 6 |
21 22 |
0.59 (0.22, 1.61) |
0.53 (0.21, 1.37) |
NSABC Israel Br0283 (1983) |
AVbCMF† CMF |
4 6 |
55 50 |
0.91 (0.53, 1.57) |
0.88 (0.47, 1.63) |
Austrian BCSG 3 (1984) |
CMFVA CMF |
6 8 |
121 124 |
1.07 (0.73, 1.55) |
0.93 (0.64, 1.35) |
Combined Studies |
Doxorubicin Hydrochloride-Containing Regimen CMF |
2157 ** 1353** |
0.91 (0.82, 1.01) |
0.91 (0.81, 1.03) |
**Abbreviations:**DFS = disease free survival; OS = overall survival; AC = doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide; AVbCMF = doxorubicin hydrochloride, vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil; CMF = cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil; CMFVA = cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil, vincristine, doxorubicin hydrochloride; FAC = fluorouracil, doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide; FACV = fluorouracil, doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide, vincristine; HR = hazard ratio; CI = confidence interval
|
** Hazard ratio of less than 1 indicates that the treatment with doxorubicin hydrochloride-containing regimens is associated with lower risk of disease recurrences or death compared to the treatment with CMF. |
† Patients received alternating cycles of AVb and CMF. |
Figure 1. Meta-analysis of Disease-Free Survival

Figure 2. Meta-analysis of Overall Survival
