AC Treatment
This document provides general information about your cancer treatment. It does not replace the advice of your health care professional. Always discuss your therapy with your health care team.
- This treatment consists of Doxorubicin (also known as Adriamycin®) and Cyclophosphamide.
- Refer to the medication information sheet for each drug for more information
- AC is a drug combination for treating breast cancer.
- It is important to tell your oncologist about any other medical conditions you have, as some conditions may affect therapy with this treatment.
- Since these medications may harm your baby if used during pregnancy, women who have not yet reached menopause should use effective forms of birth control while on treatment. Do not use birth control pills. Please discuss this with your oncologist.
- If you become pregnant, tell your oncologist right away.
- Do not breastfeed while undergoing treatment.
- Also, if you plan to have children in the future, discuss this with your oncologist before starting your first treatment, as chemotherapy may affect your fertility and your chances of having a baby in the future.
- Your treatment plan consists of 4 chemotherapy cycles. Each cycle lasts 3 weeks (21 days). You will receive two drugs (Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide) through a vein in your arm (IV) on the first day (Day 1) of each cycle. Days 2 to 21 are rest days.
- You will have a blood test before each treatment to check if your blood counts are high enough for you to receive chemotherapy.
- Doxorubicin can cause damage to surrounding tissues if it leaks out of the vein and into the surrounding area. The nurses are extremely careful when they give you the medication, but tell them immediately if you experience burning or pain with the injection.
- Doxorubicin can have an effect on the function of the heart in some patients causing shortness of breath, fatigue and leg swelling. Your oncologist may order special heart tests, most often before your very first treatment. Tell your oncologist if you are concerned about any symptoms and if you have had any heart problems.
- Cyclophosphamide can irritate your bladder. Drink plenty of fluids (at least 8 glasses per day) during the day and empty your bladder (pass urine) frequently. Tell your oncologist or nurse if you experience pain on urination, see blood in your urine, or need to urinate small amounts frequently.
- All patients will experience some or total hair loss. This generally starts 2 to 3 weeks after the first injection. Your scalp may feel tender. It’s a good idea to consider a wig or other head covering before starting treatment. Hair loss on your face (e.g. eyebrows, eyelashes) and body can also occur. Your hair will start to grow back once all of your treatments are over. The colour and texture of your new hair may be different.
- Medications in this regimen may make your periods heavier or lighter. Your periods may even stop completely. This may be permanent. You may develop symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings and changes in sexual desire. Please discuss any concerns you have with your nurse or oncologist.
- Tell your oncologist, nurse, and pharmacist about other prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking. Check with your oncologist, nurse or pharmacist before you start taking any new drugs, including herbal or alternative treatments. Also tell other healthcare professionals you are seeing about the chemotherapy you are receiving.
- Due to increased risk of developing infections, check with your oncologist before having any vaccinations. Also check with your oncologist before any surgery or dental work.
- If you are taking ASA (Aspirin®, acetylsalicylic acid), please discuss this with your oncologist as this may interfere with your chemotherapy treatment. For headache, fever, or occasional aches and pains, use acetaminophen (Tylenol ®) instead of ASA.
The list below contains some common or important side effects with this treatment. You may not have all of the side effects. Other side effects may occur. If you have any unusual or bothersome symptoms, discuss with your doctor.
|
|||||||
Hair thinning or loss
|
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||||
Irritated and watery eyes
|
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||||
Joint pain
|
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||||
Sores in the mouth or the lips
|
Contact your health care team as soon as possible (office hours) | ||||||
Signs of infection, for example, fever, chills, cough, sore throat
|
Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
Tiredness or Weakness; Lack of energy
|
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||||
Nausea and vomiting
|
Contact your healthcare team if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours | ||||||
Red-Coloured Urine
|
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
|
|||||||
Lung problems |
Get emergency medical help right away |
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information(for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.