irinotecan

This medication is used to treat cancer of the colon and rectum.

This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. The dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to treatment.

If this medication comes into contact with your skin, wash the skin right away and completely with soap and water. If this medication gets into your eyes, mouth, or nose, flush completely with plenty of water. Consult your doctor for more details.

See also Warning section.

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, cough, drowsiness, mouth sores, weakness, or trouble sleeping may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If these effects persist or worsen, or if you are unable to drink/eat because of nausea/vomiting, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: pain/redness/swelling at the injection site or arms/legs, numbness/tingling/burning of arms/legs, black/bloody stools, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), lung problems (such as shortness of breath, cough).

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion, trouble breathing.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Irinotecan can commonly cause a mild rash that is usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash that could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction. Therefore, get medical help right away if you develop any rash.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using irinotecan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: bowel blockage (e.g., paralytic ileus), certain genetic metabolism disorder (fructose intolerance), radiation treatments, blood/bone marrow disorders (e.g., low platelet/neutrophil/red blood cell levels), diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a sitting or lying position, get up slowly.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose.

To lower your risk of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections.

Older adults may be at greater risk for diarrhea while using this drug.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor may order a pregnancy test before starting this medication. You should not become pregnant while using irinotecan. Irinotecan may harm an unborn baby. Women of childbearing age should ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and for 6 months after the last dose. Men with female partners of childbearing age should use reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and for 3 months after the last dose. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug and for at least 7 days after the last dose is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: laxatives, "water pills"/diuretics (e.g., furosemide).

Other medications can affect the removal of irinotecan from your body, which may affect how irinotecan works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole), clarithromycin, gemfibrozil, nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir, atazanavir), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), telaprevir, among others.

Avoid eating foods or taking products containing tumeric (curcumin) while being treated with irinotecan. It may decrease this medication's effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat, fever), severe diarrhea.

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood count, hemoglobin, platelets) should be performed regularly to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.