MDose · Veterinary drug reference
DOXORUBICIN
Favorites and recent references stay on this device. No patient data is stored.
Choose the species
One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
The workhorse antineopptic: lymphomas (CHOP), carcinomas, leukemias, sarcomas — alone or in combination
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: The workhorse antineopptic: lymphomas (CHOP), carcinomas, leukemias, sarcomas — alone or in combination — Extra-label (human drug)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: The workhorse antineopptic: lymphomas (CHOP), carcinomas, leukemias, sarcomas — alone or in combination — Extra-label (human drug)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens4
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects112
Cumulative cardiotoxicity (dilated cardiomyopathy) — Risk ↑ >240 mg/m²; predisposed breeds: Doberman, Great Dane, Rottweiler, Boxer — monitor carefully
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Myelosuppression (neutropenic nadir) — Dose-limiting acutely
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Nephrotoxicity — Monitor renal values before/during therapy
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Gastroenteritis, stomatitis, alopecia (breed-dependent) — Common
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Immediate hypersensitivity (infusion) — Primarily dogs; potentially brand-specific (histamine-release)
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Lack of efficacy - NOS12 reports
- Anorexia10 reports
- Death by euthanasia10 reports
- Diarrhoea10 reports
- Weight loss8 reports
- Decreased appetite7 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')6 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)6 reports
- Neutropenia6 reports
- Vomiting6 reports
- Thrombocytopenia5 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)4 reports
Cat
- Agitation1 reports
- Anisocoria1 reports
- Ataxia1 reports
- Dilated pupils1 reports
- No sign1 reports
- Product compounding error1 reports
Monitoring1
CBC before each dose (nadir ~7–10 d); ECG/echo baseline + periodically (esp. predisposed breeds + cumulative tracking); renal values in cats; cumulative-dose log on the chart
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Myelosuppression, impaired cardiac function, prior cumulative-dose ceiling (incl. daunorubicin), hyperuricemia
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Slow IV over ≥10 min through a perfectly placed, free-flowing catheter; watch the site constantly — doxorubicin extravasation is the feared tissue injury of veterinary chemo.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hepatic impairment (dose adjust); cardiomyopathy-predisposed breeds; cats = renal watch
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
240 mg/m² is the lifetime line (≈8 doses at 30 mg/m²) — track it like a bank account; the "Adriamycin heart" is irreversible dilated cardiomyopathy.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Same drug, two species-specific organs at risk: dog = heart, cat = kidney.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Lethal dose reported at 72 mg/m² in dogs — a single 2.4× dosing error; mg/m² discipline again.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions5
Other antineoplastics — Potentiated toxicity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Calcium-channel blockers — ↑ cardiotoxicity risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cyclophosphamide — ↑ cardiotoxicity (cumulative)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dexrazoxane — Cardioprotectant (also extravasation antidote)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Vaccines/live products — Immunosuppression
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Mechanism — DNA intercalation + topoisomerase II inhibition + free-radical damage; cell-cycle non-specific
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Distribution — Widely distributed, high tissue/plasma binding; no CSF entry
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic; reduce dose in impaired hepatic function
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Teratogenic and embryotoxic — contraindicated.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 445–447 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references19
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Poly(Amino Acid) Coordination Nanosonosensitizer as a ROS Amplifier for Enhanced Sonodynamic-Chemodynamic Therapy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Biomineralized Multienzyme-Mimicking 2D Nanoplatform Achieves Efficient Redox-Governed Reversal of Tumor Multidrug Resistance.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Attenuation of DOX-Associated Biochemical and Histological Brain Alterations.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Pharmacological combination of simvastatin and doxorubicin reduces tumor growth and lung metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Longitudinal echocardiographic systolic changes in dogs receiving doxorubicin-based chemotherapy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.