mitoXANTRONE

Liver problems
(yellow skin or eyes, dark urine)

Hair thinning or loss 

• Use a gentle soft brush; care should be taken with hair sprays, bleaches, dyes and perms.
• Your hair usually grows back after your treatment ends, but the texture or colour may change.

Diarrhea

• May occur days to weeks after the drug is given / after treatment starts
• Drink plenty of clear fluids. Limit hot, spicy, fried foods, foods/drinks with caffeine, orange or prune juice. 
• Try a low-fiber BRAT diet (Bananas, white Rice, Apple sauce, Toast made with white bread).
• Take anti-diarrhea drug(s) if given to you by your doctor.
• Also see Diarrhea pamphlet.*

Tiredness

• Rest often; take naps if needed. Move slowly when getting up.
• Eat well-balanced meals and drink plenty of fluids. Light exercise may help.
• Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery when feeling tired.

Mouth sores

• Maintain good mouth hygiene. Regular teethbrushing with a soft toothbrush or Toothette®, and  regular use of mouthwashes, especially after meals and at bedtime. Use alcohol-free mouthwashes.
• Instead, try a homemade mouthwash: 
  Mix 1 teaspoonful of baking soda and 1 teaspoonful of salt in 4 cups (1L) of water.
• Avoid hot, spicy, acidic, hard or crunchy foods.
• Check with your doctor or nurse as soon as you notice sores in mouth/lips or pain with swallowing. Your doctor may prescribe a prescription mouthwash to relieve mouth sores and prevent infection.
• Also see Mouth Care pamphlet.*

Unusual bleeding or bruising

You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop. 

Fever, chills, infection

You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:

• 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time OR
• 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.

While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:

• Keep a digital thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills).
• Avoid taking medications that treat a fever before you take your temperature (for example, Tylenol®, acetaminophen, Advil® or ibuprofen) as they may hide a fever.
• Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold right before taking your temperature.
• Wash your hands often.
• Check with your doctor before getting any vaccines, surgeries or visiting your dentist.

If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. 
See our Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information.

Nausea and vomiting

• May occur in hours to days after the dose is given/ after treatment starts.
• Drink clear fluids and avoid large meals. Get fresh air and rest.
• Limit spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
• Take anti-nausea drug(s) exactly as directed by your doctor. It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it.
• Contact your doctor if nausea lasts more than 1 day or if any vomiting occurs.
• Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet.*

Pain, burning, redness, or swelling on skin where drug was injected

• Let your healthcare team know right away when this happens, since this drug can harm or irritate tissues if it leaks from the vein during injection.

Allergic reaction
(fever, severe rash, itchiness, swollen face, lip or tongue, chest or throat tightness)

• May occur during or shortly after the drug is given.

Heart problems
(irregular heartbeat, chest pain, fainting, swelling, shortness of breath)

Lung problems
(increased cough, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood)

Loss of consciousness, seizures, confusion

Rapid killing of cancer cells when you start treatment may lead to build up of cell waste products

• If mild, this may cause gout, with joint pains, but if severe, may cause fevers, kidney failure, confusion and be life-threatening.
• You MUST take the preventive medicines given by your doctor AND
• Drink plenty of fluids (6-8 glasses per day) and void (urinate) frequently.