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IRINOTECAN (Camptosar®) is a chemotherapy agent used to treat colon and rectal cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and many
other types of cancer. Irinotecan interferes with the growth of rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells, and eventually causes these
cells to die. Irinotecan may be used alone or with other chemotherapy agents. Generic irinotecan injections are not available.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
·an active infection
·bleeding problems or other blood disorders
·dehydration
·dental disease
·diabetes or glucose (sugar) intolerance
·diarrhea
·liver disease, including jaundice
·recent radiation therapy
·an unusual or allergic reaction to irinotecan, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
·pregnant or trying to get pregnant
·breast-feeding
Irinotecan is for infusion into a vein. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health care professional. If you
notice pain, swelling, burning or any other unusual feelings around the site of your injection, tell your health care professional
immediately.
It is important not to miss your dose. Let your prescriber or health care professional know if you are unable to keep an
appointment.
·other chemotherapy agents may increase the side effects due to irinotecan
·carbamazepine
·fosphenytoin
·laxatives
·phenobarbital
·phenytoin
·primidone
·vaccines
Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
·aspirin
·acetaminophen
·ibuprofen
·naproxen
·ketoprofen
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including nonprescription medicines,
nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks
with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your
health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
The side effects you may experience with irinotecan therapy depend upon the dose, other types of chemotherapy or radiation
therapy given, and the disease being treated. Not all of these effects occur in all patients. Discuss any concerns or questions with
your prescriber or health care professional.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
·low blood counts - irinotecan may decrease the number of white blood cells and red blood cells. You may be at increased risk for
infections. Less commonly, irinotecan may decrease the number of platelets, which may cause bleeding.
·signs of infection - fever or chills, sore throat
·signs of decreased platelets - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin
·signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness
·diarrhea
·difficulty breathing
·flushing
·nausea, vomiting
·pain, swelling, redness or irritation at the injection site
·runny nose
·sweating
·stomach pain and/or cramping
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are
bothersome):
·constipation
·drowsiness
·gas
·headache
·hair loss
·indigestion
·loss of appetite
·skin flushing
·skin rash, itching
·weight loss
Irinotecan can cause diarrhea, which can be severe, within several days of receiving the infusion. You should have loperamide
(Imodium®) readily available to treat diarrhea occurring more than 24 hours after receiving irinotecan. At the first sign of late
diarrhea (i.e., abdominal cramping, sweating), take loperamide as prescribed and call your doctor or health care professional. This
dose is usually higher than what is recommended on the box; make sure to follow the instructions given to you by your health care
provider.
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side
effects of irinotecan can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.
Irinotecan may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because irinotecan affects good cells as well as cancer cells.
Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health
care professional tells you to stop.
Irinotecan may decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever,
chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who
are sick. Rarely, irinotecan may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice
any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.
Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®), or ketoprofen (Orudis® KT) products as
they may mask a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are using irinotecan.
Females of childbearing age should take appropriate precautions to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving irinotecan.
This does not apply. You will only receive this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting and will not take it at home.
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you
have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
[ Revised 4/27/00]
This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.