irinotecan
Other Name: Camptosar®
mixed into larger bags of fluids
- For treating cancer of the colon, rectum or other cancers
Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), such as:
- liver, heart or lung problems
- diabetes
- hereditary fructose intolerance or
- any allergies
- The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding
- If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:
- ►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while receiving this drug: Keep using birth control until at least 6 months after the last dose (general recommendation). Discuss with your healthcare team.
- Do not breastfeed while taking this drug.
- This medication may affect fertility (ability to get pregnant)
This drug is given by injection into a vein.
- Your doctor may tell you to use loperamide (Imodium®) for delayed diarrhea caused by irinotecan. In this case, ensure you have a supply of loperamide readily available, since diarrhea needs to be treated as soon as possible.
- Your healthcare team may ask you to follow these instructions for loperamide (Imodium®): For delayed diarrhea (more than 24 hours after your irinotecan dose), at the first sign of loose bowel movements or when bowel movements are more frequent than usual, take 2 tablets (4mg) immediately, then take 1 tablet (2mg) every 2 hours. During the night you may take 2 tablets (4mg) every 4 hours. Continue with loperamide until you are diarrhea-free for 12 hours. (Also see “Diarrhea (delayed onset)” under “Side effects and what to do” section.)
Do not eat or drink grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges or their juices (or products that contain these) while on this treatment. They may increase side effects.
This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
For mild aches and pain or fever:
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Diarrhea (early onset) and other early side effects of irinotecan
Diarrhea (delayed onset)
If you have diarrhea :
See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. | Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe. If diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours while taking anti-diarrhea drugs or if you have fever, get emergency medical help right away. | ||||
Nausea and vomiting May occur in hours to days after your treatment. It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it if it happens. To help prevent nausea:
If you have nausea or vomiting:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. | Talk to your healthcare team if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours | ||||
Fatigue (tiredness)
See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. | Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Hair thinning or loss
| Talk to your health care team if this bothers you | ||||
Pains or cramps in the belly
| Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low appetite
| Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Constipation (less common than diarrhea) To help prevent constipation :
To help treat constipation :
See the Constipation Pamphlet for more information. | Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low platelets in the blood
See the Low Platelet Count pamphlet for more information. Fever, chills, infection You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting treatment:
| Get emergency medical help right away |
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Cough; feeling short of breath You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose. Rarely this may be severe with chest pain, trouble breathing or coughing up blood. If this happens get medical help right away. | Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Trouble falling asleep
| Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Headache; muscle pain or cramps
| Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Dizziness
| Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Abnormal liver lab tests
| Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Rash; dry, itchy skin Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away. To prevent and treat dry skin,
| Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mouth sores You may have round, painful, white or gray sores inside your mouth. They can occur on the tongue, lips, gums, or inside your cheeks. In more severe cases they may make it hard swallow, eat or to brush your teeth. They usually last 1 to 2 weeks. To help prevent mouth sores:
If you have mouth sores:
See the Mouth Care pamphlet for more information. | Talk to your health care team as soon as possible | ||||
Heartburn; stomach upset To help prevent heartburn:
| Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness To help prevent swelling :
If you have swelling in your legs, keep your feet up when sitting. | Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- Swelling and hardening of a vein in your arms or leg
- Feel confused, trouble seeing, speaking, or using your arms or legs
- Severe or sudden belly pain, bloating or feeling of fullness and severe constipation
- Pain in the centre of your belly that may extend to your back
- Flushing, itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, wheezing, chest and throat tightness
- Fever, severe joint pain; lower back pain, swelling, pee less than usual and have unusual weight gain; muscle twitching, severe weakness or cramping and feel confused
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
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.