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Drugs A–Z

Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome

Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Taken
Intravenous
Label
Baxter Healthcare Company, revised May 31, 2022 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
No · details

Boxed warning — the FDA's most serious warning for a medicine

WARNING: CARDIOMYOPATHY and INFUSION-RELATED REACTIONS

  • Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection can cause myocardial damage, including acute left ventricular failure. The risk of cardiomyopathy was 11% when the cumulative anthracycline dose was between 450 mg/m 2 to 550 mg/m 2 . Assess left ventricular cardiac function prior to initiation of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection and during and after treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] .
  • Serious, life-threatening, and fatal infusion-related reactions can occur with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection. Acute infusion-related reactions occurred in 11% of patients with solid tumors. Withhold doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for infusion-related reactions and resume at a reduced rate. Discontinue doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for serious or life-threatening infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . WARNING: CARDIOMYOPATHY and INFUSION-RELATED REACTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
  • Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection can cause myocardial damage, including acute left ventricular failure. The risk of cardiomyopathy was 11% when the cumulative anthracycline dose was between 450 mg/m 2 to 550 mg/m 2 . Assess left ventricular cardiac function prior to initiation of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection, during treatment, and after treatment ( 5.1 ).
  • Serious, life-threatening, and fatal infusion‑related reactions can occur. Acute infusion-related reactions occurred in 11% of patients with solid tumors. Withhold doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for infusion-related reactions and resume at a reduced rate. Discontinue doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for serious or life-threatening infusion-related reactions ( 5.2 ).

What it is used for

Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection is an anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitor indicated for:

  • Ovarian cancer: After failure of platinum-based chemotherapy ( 1.1 )
  • AIDS-related Kaposi’s Sarcoma: After failure of prior systemic chemotherapy or intolerance to such therapy ( 1.2 )
  • Multiple Myeloma: In combination with bortezomib in patients who have not previously received bortezomib and have received at least one prior therapy ( 1.3 )

1.1 Ovarian Cancer Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection is indicated for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer whose disease has progressed or recurred after platinum-based chemotherapy. 1.2 AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection is indicated for the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma in patients after failure of prior systemic chemotherapy or intolerance to such therapy.

1.3 Multiple Myeloma Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection, in combination with bortezomib, is indicated for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have not previously received bortezomib and have received at least one prior therapy.

Forms and strengths

Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection: 20 mg/10 mL (2 mg/mL) and 50 mg/25 mL (2 mg/mL) in single-dose vials. The drug product appears as a translucent, red liposomal dispersion. Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection: 20 mg/10 mL (2 mg/mL) and 50 mg/25 mL (2 mg/mL) in single-dose vials ( 3 )

Who should not take it (contraindications)

Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection is contraindicated in patients who have a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to doxorubicin hydrochloride [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] .

  • Hypersensitivity reactions to doxorubicin hydrochloride or the components of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection ( 4 , 5.2 )

Warnings and precautions

  • Hand-Foot Syndrome may occur. Dose modification or discontinuation may be required ( 5.3 )
  • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise of potential risk to a fetus. Use effective contraception ( 5.5 , 8.1 , 8.3 )

5.1 Cardiomyopathy Doxorubicin hydrochloride can cause myocardial damage, including acute left ventricular failure. The risk of cardiomyopathy with doxorubicin hydrochloride is generally proportional to the cumulative exposure. Include prior use of other anthracyclines or anthracenediones in calculations of cumulative dose. The risk of cardiomyopathy may be increased at lower cumulative doses in patients with prior mediastinal irradiation. In a clinical study in 250 patients with advanced cancer who were treated with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection, the risk of cardiomyopathy was 11% when the cumulative anthracycline dose was between 450 mg/m 2 to 550 mg/m 2 . Cardiomyopathy was defined as >20% decrease in resting left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from baseline where LVEF remained in the normal range or a >10% decrease in LVEF from baseline where LVEF was less than the institutional lower limit of normal. Two percent of patients developed signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure without documented evidence of cardiomyopathy. Assess left ventricular cardiac function (e.g. MUGA or echocardiogram) prior to initiation of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection, during treatment to detect acute changes, and after treatment to detect delayed cardiomyopathy. Administer doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection to patients with a history of cardiovascular disease only when the potential benefit of treatment outweighs the risk.

5.2 Infusion-Related Reactions Serious, life-threatening, and fatal infusion-related reactions characterized by one or more of the following symptoms can occur with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection: flushing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, headache, chills, chest pain, back pain, tightness in the chest and throat, fever, tachycardia, pruritus, rash, cyanosis, syncope, bronchospasm, asthma, apnea, and hypotension. Of 239 patients with ovarian cancer treated with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection in Trial 4, 7% of patients experienced acute infusion-related reactions resulting in dose interruption. All occurred during cycle 1 and none during subsequent cycles. Across multiple studies of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection monotherapy including this and other studies enrolling 760 patients with various solid tumors, 11% of patients had infusion-related reactions. The majority of infusion-related events occurred during the first infusion. Ensure that medications to treat infusion-related reactions and cardiopulmonary resuscitative equipment are available for immediate use prior to initiation of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection. Initiate doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection infusions at a rate of 1 mg/min and increase rate as tolerated [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ] . Withhold doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for Grade 1, 2, or 3 infusion-related reactions and resume at a reduced infusion rate. Discontinue doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection infusion for serious or life-threatening infusion-related reactions.

5.3 Hand-Foot Syndrome (HFS) In Trial 4, the incidence of HFS was 51% of patients in the doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection arm and 0.9% of patients in the topotecan arm, including 24% Grade 3 or 4 cases of HFS in doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection-treated patients and no Grade 3 or 4 cases in topotecan-treated patients. HFS or other skin toxicity required discontinuation of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection in 4.2% of patients. HFS was generally observed after 2 or 3 cycles of treatment but may occur earlier. Delay doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for the first episode of Grade 2 or greater HFS [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . Discontinue doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection if HFS is severe and debilitating.

5.4 Secondary Oral Neoplasms Secondary oral cancers, primarily squamous cell carcinoma, have been reported from post‑marketing experience in patients with long-term (more than one year) exposure to doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection. These malignancies were diagnosed both during treatment with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection and up to 6 years after the last dose. Examine patients at regular intervals for the presence of oral ulceration or with any oral discomfort that may be indicative of secondary oral cancer. The altered pharmacokinetics and preferential tissue distribution of liposomal doxorubicin that contributes to enhanced skin toxicity and mucositis compared to free doxorubicin may play a role in the development of oral secondary malignancies with long-term use.

5.5 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings in animals and its mechanism of action, doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman; avoid the use of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection during the 1 st 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 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters. At doses approximately 0.12 times the recommended clinical dose, doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection was embryotoxic and abortifacient in rabbits. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females and males of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 6 months after treatment with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3 )] .

Side effects (adverse reactions)

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling.

  • Cardiomyopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]
  • Infusion-Related Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]
  • Hand-Foot Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]
  • Secondary Oral Neoplasms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Most common adverse reactions (>20%) are asthenia, fatigue, fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, diarrhea, constipation, hand-foot syndrome, rash, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Baxter Healthcare at 1-866-888-2472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates on other clinical trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The safety data reflect exposure to doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection in 1310 patients including: 239 patients with ovarian cancer, 753 patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, and 318 patients with multiple myeloma. The most common adverse reactions (>20%) observed with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection are asthenia, fatigue, fever, nausea, stomatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, hand-foot syndrome, rash and neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia. The following tables present adverse reactions from clinical trials of single-agent doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection in ovarian cancer and AIDS-Related Kaposi’s sarcoma. Patients With Ovarian Cancer The safety data described below are from Trial 4, which included 239 patients with ovarian cancer treated with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection 50 mg/m 2 once every 4 weeks for a minimum of four courses in a randomized, multicenter, open-label study. In this trial, patients received doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for a median number of 3.2 months (range 1 day to 25.8 months). The median age of the patients is 60 years (range 27 to 87), with 91% Caucasian, 6% Black, and 3% Hispanic or Other. Table 3 presents the hematologic adverse reactions from Trial 4. Table 3: Hematologic Adverse Reactions in Trial 4 Doxorubicin hydrochloride Liposome Injection Patients (n=239) Topotecan Patients (n=235) Neutropenia 500 – <1000/mm3 8% 14% <500/mm3 4.2% 62% Anemia 6.5 – <8 g/dL 5% 25% < 6.5 g/dL 0.4% 4.3% Thrombocytopenia 10,000 – <50,000/mm3 1.3% 17% <10,000/mm3 0.0% 17% Table 4 presents the non-hematologic adverse reactions from Trial 4. Table 4: Non-Hematologic Adverse Reactions in Trial 4 Non-Hematologic Adverse Reaction 10% or Greater Doxorubicin hydrochloride Liposome Injection (%) treated (n=239) Topotecan (%) treated (n=235) All grades Grades 3-4 All grades Grades 3-4 Body as a Whole Asthenia 40 7 52 8 Fever 21 0.8 31 6 Mucous Membrane Disorder 14 3.8 3.4 0 Back Pain 12 1.7 10

0.9 Infection 12 2.1 6

0.9 Headache 11 0.8 15 0 Digestive Nausea 46 5 63 8 Stomatitis 41 8 15

0.4 Vomiting 33 8 44 10 Diarrhea 21 2.5 35

4.2 Anorexia 20 2.5 22

1.3 Dyspepsia 12 0.8 14 0 Nervous Dizziness 4.2 0 10 0 Respiratory Pharyngitis 16 0 18

0.4 Dyspnea 15 4.1 23

4.3 Cough increased 10 0 12 0 Skin and Appendages Hand-foot syndrome 51 24 0.9 0 Rash 29 4.2 12

0.4 Alopecia 19 N/A 52 N/A The following additional adverse reactions were observed in patients with ovarian cancer with doses administered every four weeks (Trial 4). Incidence 1% to 10% Cardiovascular: vasodilation, tachycardia, deep vein thrombosis, hypotension, cardiac arrest. Digestive: oral moniliasis, mouth ulceration, esophagitis, dysphagia, rectal bleeding, ileus. Hematologic and Lymphatic: ecchymosis. Metabolic and Nutritional: dehydration, weight loss, hyperbilirubinemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, hyponatremia. Nervous: somnolence, dizziness, depression. Respiratory: rhinitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, epistaxis. Skin and Appendages: pruritus, skin discoloration, vesiculobullous rash, maculopapular rash, exfoliative dermatitis, herpes zoster, dry skin, herpes simplex, fungal dermatitis, furunculosis, acne. Special Senses: conjunctivitis, taste perversion, dry eyes. Urinary: urinary tract infection, hematuria, vaginal moniliasis. Patients With AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma The safety data described is based on the experience reported in 753 patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) enrolled in four open-label, uncontrolled trials of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection administered at doses ranging from 10 to 40 mg/m 2 every 2 to 3 weeks. Demographics of the population were: median age 38.7 years (range 24-70); 99% male; 88% Caucasian, 6% Hispanic, 4% Black, and 2% Asian/other/unknown. The majority of patients were treated with 20 mg/m 2 of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection every 2 to 3 weeks with a median exposure of 4.2 months (range 1 day to 26.6 months). The median cumulative dose was 120 mg/m 2 (range 3.3 to 798.6 mg/m 2 ); 3% received cumulative doses of greater than 450 mg/m 2 . Disease characteristics were: 61% poor risk for KS tumor burden, 91% poor risk for immune system, and 47% poor risk for systemic illness; 36% were poor risk for all three categories; median CD4 count 21 cells/mm 3 (51% less than 50 cells/mm 3 ); mean absolute neutrophil count at study entry approximately 3,000 cells/mm 3 . Of the 693 patients with concomitant medication information, 59% were on one or more antiretroviral medications [35% zidovudine (AZT), 21% didanosine (ddI), 16% zalcitabine (ddC), and 10% stavudine (D4T)]; 85% received PCP prophylaxis (54% sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim); 85% received antifungal medications (76% fluconazole); 72% received antivirals (56% acyclovir, 29% ganciclovir, and 16% foscarnet) and 48% patients received colony-stimulating factors (sargramostim/filgrastim) during their course of treatment. Adverse reactions led to discontinuation of treatment in 5% of patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma and included myelosuppression, cardiac adverse reactions, infusion-related reactions, toxoplasmosis, HFS, pneumonia, cough/dyspnea, fatigue, optic neuritis, progression of a non-KS tumor, allergy to penicillin, and unspecified reasons. Tables 5 and 6 summarize adverse reactions reported in patients treated with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma in a pooled analysis of the four trials. Table 5: Hematologic Adverse Reactions Reported in Patients With AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma Patients With Refractory or Intolerant AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma (n=74*) Total Patients With AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma (n=720**) Neutropenia < 1000/mm 3 46% 49% < 500/mm 3 11% 13% Anemia < 10 g/dL 58% 55% < 8 g/dL 16% 18% Thrombocytopenia < 150,000/mm3 61% 61% < 25,000/mm3 1.4% 4.2% * This includes a subset of subjects who were retrospectively identified as having disease progression on prior systemic combination chemotherapy (at least 2 cycles of a regimen containing at least 2 of 3 treatments: bleomycin, vincristine or vinblastine, or doxorubicin) or as being intolerant to such therapy. ** This includes only subjects with AIDS-KS who had available data from the 4 pooled trials. Table 6: Non-Hematologic Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients With AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma Adverse Reactions Patients With Refractory or Intolerant AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma (n=77*) Total Patients With AIDS-Related Kaposi’s Sarcoma (n=705**) Nausea 18% 17% Asthenia 7% 10% Fever 8% 9% Alopecia 9% 9% Alkaline Phosphatase Increase 1.3% 8% Vomiting 8% 8% Diarrhea 5% 8% Stomatitis 5% 7% Oral Moniliasis 1.3% 6% * This includes a subset of subjects who were retrospectively identified as having disease progression on prior systemic combination chemotherapy (at least 2 cycles of a regimen containing at least 2 of 3 treatments: bleomycin, vincristine or vinblastine, or doxorubicin) or as being intolerant to such therapy. […]

Drug interactions

No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

  • Lactation: Discontinue breastfeeding ( 8.2 ).

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings in animals and its mechanism of action, doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman; avoid use of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection during the 1 st trimester. In animal reproduction studies, doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection was embryotoxic in rats and abortifacient in rabbits following intravenous administration during organogenesis at doses approximately 0.12 times the recommended clinical dose (see Data) . 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 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. However, the background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2-4% and of miscarriage is 15-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection was embryotoxic at doses of 1 mg/kg/day in rats and was embryotoxic and abortifacient at 0.5 mg/kg/day in rabbits (both doses are about 0.12 times the recommended dose of 50 mg/m 2 human dose on a mg/m 2 basis). Embryotoxicity was characterized by increased embryo-fetal deaths and reduced live litter sizes.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary It is not known whether doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection is present in human milk. Because many drugs, including anthracyclines, are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection, discontinue breastfeeding during treatment with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Pregnancy Testing Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection. Contraception Females Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 6 months after treatment with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection. Males Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection may damage spermatozoa and testicular tissue, resulting in possible genetic fetal abnormalities. Males with female sexual partners of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during and for 6 months after treatment with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection [see Non‑clinical Toxicology (13.1) ]. Infertility Females In females of reproductive potential, doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection may cause infertility and result in amenorrhea. Premature menopause can occur with doxorubicin hydrochloride. Recovery of menses and ovulation is related to age at treatment . Males Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection may result in oligospermia, azoospermia, and permanent loss of fertility. Sperm counts have been reported to return to normal levels in some men. This may occur several years after the end of therapy [see Non-clinical Toxicology (13.1) ] .

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection in pediatric patients have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection conducted in patients with either epithelial ovarian cancer (Trial 4) or with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma (Trial 5) did not contain sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In Trial 6, of 318 patients treated with doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection in combination with bortezomib for multiple myeloma, 37% were 65 years of age or older and 8% were 75 years of age or older. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these patients and younger patients.

8.6 Hepatic Impairment The pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection has not been adequately evaluated in patients with hepatic impairment. Doxorubicin is eliminated in large part by the liver. Reduce doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection for serum bilirubin of 1.2 mg/dL or higher.

How it works

The active ingredient of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection is doxorubicin hydrochloride. The mechanism of action of doxorubicin hydrochloride is thought to be related to its ability to bind DNA and inhibit nucleic acid synthesis. Cell structure studies have demonstrated rapid cell penetration and perinuclear chromatin binding, rapid inhibition of mitotic activity and nucleic acid synthesis, and induction of mutagenesis and chromosomal aberrations.

Is there a generic Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome?

No. The FDA has not approved a generic version yet.

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID cf25a018-e795-49e4-8533-a581f8366dd9.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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