Caelyx 2 mg

Caelyx 2 mg (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride) is a prescription drug manufactured by Fulford. It is used as monotherapy drug indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. It is also indicated for the treatment of:

• Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in women who have failed a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy regimen.
• AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) in patients with low CD4 counts (<200 lymphocytes/mm3) and extensive mucocutaneous or visceral disease.

Liposomal Doxorubicin contains doxorubicin wrapped up in a fatty covering which is called a liposome. It allows the doxorubicin to stay in the bloodstream longer, so that more of the drug reaches the cancer cells. It has fewer side effects on healthy cells than regular doxorubicin, because the fatty covering acts as a barrier.

India has generic versions of generic versions of Caelyx at cheaper prices PIGLIT (manufactured by Emcure) & LIPODOX (manufactured by Sun Pharma).

CAELYX may be used as first-line systemic chemotherapy, or as second line chemotherapy in AIDS-KS patients with disease that has progressed with, or in patients intolerant to, prior combination systemic chemotherapy comprising at least two of the following agents: a vinca alkaloid, bleomycin and doxorubicin (or other anthracycline).

CAELYX is also indicated, in combination with bortezomib, for the treatment of progressive multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least one prior therapy and who have already undergone or are unsuitable for bone marrow transplant.

How you have liposomal doxorubicin:

Liposomal doxorubicin is a light red liquid that you have through a drip (infusion) into your bloodstream.

You can have it through a thin, short tube (a cannula) put into a vein in your arm each time you have treatment. Or you may have it through a central line, a portacath or a PICC line. These are long, plastic tubes that give the drugs directly into a large vein in your chest. You have the tube put in just before your course of treatment starts and it stays in place as long as you need it.

Each treatment usually takes between 30 to 90 minutes. You usually have liposomal doxorubicin as a course of several cycles of treatment. Your treatment plan will depend on which type of cancer you have. There is detailed information about how doctors plan chemotherapy in the chemotherapy section.

• A temporary drop in the number of blood cells made by the bone marrow, causing.
• An increased risk of getting an infection from a drop in white blood cells – it is harder to fight infections and you can become very ill.
• You may have headaches, aching muscles, a cough, sore throat, pain passing urine or feel cold and shivery
• Tiredness and breathlessness due to a drop in red blood cells (anaemia) – you may need a blood transfusion
• Bruising more easily due to a drop in platelets – you may have nosebleeds, bleeding gums after brushing your teeth, or lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or legs (known as petechia)