Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs 3

This page contains brief information about dexrazoxane hydrochloride and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, related research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s):		Totect
		Zinecard
FDA Approved:		Yes

Dexrazoxane hydrochloride is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe side effects caused by certain types of chemotherapy. It is used to treat the following:

• Extravasation caused by intravenous anthracyclines. Extravasation occurs when injected drugs leak out of the vein, into surrounding tissue. This can cause redness, pain, and swelling, and may damage the tissue. This use is approved for the Totect brand of dexrazoxane hydrochloride.
• Cardiac (heart) side effects caused by doxorubicin in women being treated for metastatic breast cancer. Dexrazoxane hydrochloride helps make the side effects happen less often and makes them less severe when they do occur. It is used only in women who have already received high doses of doxorubicin and continue to be treated with it. This use is approved for the Zinecard brand of dexrazoxane hydrochloride.

FDA Approval for Dexrazoxane Hydrochloride ⁴ - Information from the FDA about the approval of this drug and the clinical trials that led to the approval.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁵ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Heart Risks of Doxorubicin Higher Than Previously Reported (05/28/2003) ⁶ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

MedlinePlus Information on Dexrazoxane Hydrochloride ⁷ - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Dexrazoxane Hydrochloride ⁸ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

A type of antibiotic that comes from certain types of Streptomyces bacteria. Anthracyclines are used to treat many types of cancer. Anthracyclines damage the DNA in cancer cells, causing them to die. Daunorubicin, doxorubicin, and epirubicin are anthracyclines.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Having to do with the heart.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

A drug that is used to treat many types of cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Doxorubicin comes from the bacterium Streptomyces peucetius. It damages DNA and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of anthracycline antitumor antibiotic. Also called Adriamycin PFS, Adriamycin RDF, doxorubicin hydrochloride, hydroxydaunorubicin, and Rubex.

The leakage of blood, lymph, or other fluid, such as an anticancer drug, from a blood vessel or tube into the tissue around it. It is also used to describe the movement of cells out of a blood vessel into tissue during inflammation or metastasis (the spread of cancer).

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called infusion.

Having to do with metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from the primary site (place where it started) to other places in the body.

A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.