Dexrazoxane

What is dexrazoxane?

Dexrazoxane is a medicine that is used to prevent or lessen heart problems caused by some cancer drugs, such as doxorubicin. It may also be used with some other drugs (usually anthracyclines). You may hear dexrazoxane called by its brand name, Zinecard. Dexrazoxane comes as a liquid that is injected into a vein (intravenously).

Before giving dexrazoxane to your child

Tell your child’s doctor if your child has:

• reacted badly to dexrazoxane or any other medication in the past.

Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• any problems with their liver
• any problems with their kidneys
• a low blood count

How will your child receive dexrazoxane?

Dexrazoxane is a clear liquid given by needle into your child’s vein. A nurse will give this medicine to your child in the hospital clinic or on the nursing unit.

How long does dexrazoxane take to work?

The medication will begin to work immediately.

What are the possible side effects of dexrazoxane?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take dexrazoxane. Some of the side effects may be related to the chemotherapy your child is getting and not necessarily dexrazoxane. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, if they do not go away or if they bother your child:

• pain or irritation at the site of injection
• itchiness

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to the Emergency Department if your child has any of these side effects:

• fever or chills
• cough or sore throat
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine
• signs of a life-threatening reaction, including wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, itching, bad cough, blue skin colour, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• rash or hives (red raised spots on the skin)

What safety measures should you take when your child is using this dexrazoxane?

Although dexrazoxane is used to help prevent or lessen heart problems, there is still a chance that heart damage may occur. Your child will have heart function tests done as needed while receiving doxorubicin or other chemotherapy that may affect the heart. Contact your child's doctor immediately if your child has a fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, trouble breathing or swelling of feet and lower legs.

Check with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine (prescription, non-prescription, herbal or natural products).

What other important information should you know about dexrazoxane?

• Not all patients who receive doxorubicin or other cardiotoxic chemotherapy agents will receive dexrazoxane. The risk of heart damage with doxorubicin is related to the total cumulative dose of doxorubicin. Your child’s doctor will determine whether or not your child should receive dexrazoxane while receiving doxorubicin.
• There have been rare reports of children that have developed secondary cancers after receiving treatment with chemotherapy and dexrazoxane.
• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child’s medicine with others and do not give anyone else’s medicine to your child.
  

Keep dexrazoxane out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much dexrazoxane, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.