EPIRUBICIN HYDROCHLORIC anthracycline antibiotic with antiblastic activity. The mechanism of action of it is related to its ability to bind to DNA. Cell culture studies have shown rapid cell penetration, localization in the nucleus and inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis and mitosis.

Indications : Breast carcinoma; malignanl lymphomas; soft tissue sarcoma; gastric, hepatic, pancreatic and sigma-recturn carcinomas; and leukemias.

Dosage : 60-90 mg/m3 body area; the drug should be injected i.v. over 3-5 minutes and depending on patient's haematomedullar status, the dose should be repeated at 21-day intervals. Lower doses (60-75 mg/m2) are recommended for patients whose bone marrow function has already been impaired by previous chemotherapy or radio-. . Lpy, by age or neoplastic bone-marrow infiltration. The total dose per cycle may be divided over 2-3 days. When the drug is used in combination with other antitumour agents, the doses need to be adequately reduced.

Contra indications: In patients with marked lyelosuppression induced by previous treatments with other antitumour agents or by radio-therapy. Previous history of cardiac impairment Hypersensitivity.

Special Precautions: White and red blood cells and platelet counts should be carefully monitored. Cardiac function must be carefully monitored. Pregnancy. Side-effects: Alopecia, rnucositis, stomatitis with strsd pg [painful erosiona, gastro intestinal dislubanscss such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, hyperpyrexia.

Directions for administration: Epirubicin rapid dissolution should be administered by intravenous injection. It is not active when given orally and should not be injected intramuscularly or intrathecally. It should not be mixed with heparin due to chemical incompatibility. It can be used in combination with other antitumour agents, but it is not recommended that it is mixed with these drugs in the same syringe.