Rubicyt 50mg Injection

Rubicyt Injection is an anti-cancer medication. It contains epirubicin as the active substance. Rubicyt Injection is used to treat breast cancer, gastric cancer, advanced ovarian cancer, and small cell lung cancer.

It also helps in the prevention of bladder cancer reoccurrence after surgery. Rubicyt Injection will be given to you by your doctor or nurse. Do not self-inject this medicine.

Before starting Rubicyt Injection, inform your doctor if you are pregnant/breastfeeding and about your complete medical history.

Dosage

Overdose

An overdose of Rubicyt Injection may cause a reduced number of blood cells and soreness/inflammation of the mouth or gut. However, since this medicine will be given to you by a doctor or nurse, and hence, the chances of an overdose are unlikely.

Missed a Dose

It is unlikely that a dose of Rubicyt Injection will be missed if you are monitored in a healthcare setup. However, if you have missed taking a dose of the injection, inform the doctor or nurse immediately.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Rubicyt Injection prevents the synthesis of DNA/RNA (genetic material) and protein. It also interferes with the activity of a chemical called topoisomerase II which results in problems in DNA synthesis leading to anti-cancer effects.

Directions for Use

• Rubicyt Injection will be given in the hospital by your doctor or nurse.
• Do not self-inject this medicine. Follow any aftercare instructions given by the doctor or nurse.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Rubicyt 50mg Injection during pregnancy?

Rubicyt Injection should not be used in pregnant women or in women who are capable of becoming pregnant unless recommended by the doctor after assessing the need and the risk.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Rubicyt 50mg Injection while breastfeeding?

Rubicyt Injection is contraindicated for use in breastfeeding women.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Rubicyt 50mg Injection?

There is limited information on the effect of Rubicyt Injection on driving ability. However, if you experience any effects after taking this medicine that may affect your ability to drive safely, it is advised to avoid driving.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Rubicyt 50mg Injection?

There is limited information available on the interaction of alcohol with Rubicyt Injection. Ask your doctor for advice on alcohol intake along with this medicine.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You have liver, kidney, or heart disorders.
• You have any kind of infection in the body.
• You have an inflamed and sore mouth/gut, or reduced blood cells.
• You experience abnormal heart rhythms with a rapid heartbeat after using this medicine.
• You develop signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF) such as difficulty breathing, swelling in the legs/feet/arms, low urine output than normal, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
• You are taking a medicine called trastuzumab for the treatment of cancer.
• You have recently received or plan to receive any vaccines.
• You are planning on becoming pregnant.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to epirubicin, other anthracyclines/ anthracenedione, or any other ingredient of Rubicyt Injection.
• If you have a reduced number of blood cells caused by previous treatment with either other anti-cancer agents or radiotherapy.
• If you have been treated with the maximum amount of medicine or radiation given to a patient over time of other anthracyclines such as doxorubicin or daunorubicin. If you are not sure what these medicines are, please confirm with your doctor.
• If you have or had heart disorders (like NYHA class IV heart failure, acute heart attack, previous death of tissue resulting from a failure of blood supply, acute inflammatory heart diseases, or irregular heartbeat).
• If you have any infection affecting the entire body.
• If you have liver problems.
• If you have mucositis (soreness and inflammation) of the mouth, pharynx, food pipe, and gastrointestinal tract.
• If you are breastfeeding.

Side effects

• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Rubicyt Injection works or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
• Particular care should be taken if you are taking medicines like cimetidine - used for treating ulcers/GERD; dexverapamil - used to treat irregular/abnormal heart rhythm; dexrazoxane - used to protect the heart and other tissues from harmful side effects caused by certain cancer medications; docetaxel, interferon α2b - used for treating cancer; calcium channel blockers - used to treat high blood pressure, and quinine - used for treating malaria.
• Rubicyt Injection used in combination with other anti-cancer medicines that kill cancer cells may result in additive bone marrow suppression.
• The effect of this medicine on the heart is increased by certain radiotherapeutic treatments and by previous or concomitant use of other anthracycline derivatives (mitomycin-C, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, and possibly cyclophosphamide) or other medicines affecting the heart (5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, taxanes).
• Medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis like rifampicin and fits/seizures like barbiturates can result in a reduction of the efficacy of Rubicyt Injection.
• This medicine should not be used in combination with live attenuated vaccines.
• Concomitant use of this medicine with cyclosporine may cause excessive suppression of the immune system.

Storage and disposal

• Store Rubicyt Injection in in a refrigerator (2 °C - 8 °C). Protect from light.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Rubicyt Injection used for?

• Rubicyt Injection is used in the treatment of cancer of the breast, gastric cancer, advanced ovarian cancer, and small cell lung cancer.
• It is also used to help prevent bladder cancer reoccurrence after surgery.

How to store Rubicyt Injection?

• Store Rubicyt Injection in in a refrigerator (2 °C - 8 °C). Protect from light.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.