Generic Name

Drug Description

Presentation

Indications

Irinotecan is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Irinotecan is used to treat cancers of the colon and rectum. It is usually given with other cancer medicines in a combination chemotherapy.

Irinotecan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Adult Dosage

Irinotecan is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 90 minutes to complete. The irinotecan injection is usually followed by infusions with other cancer medications. These combination chemotherapy treatments are usually given at weekly intervals for several weeks.

Before starting your irinotecan injection, you may be given medications to help prevent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other side effects. You may also need to use some of these medications for at least a day after your irinotecan injection.

Irinotecan can cause severe diarrhea, which can be life-threatening if it leads to dehydration. Diarrhea can occur soon after your injection or more than 24 hours later.
Your doctor may recommend you have an anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide (Imodium) available at all times while you are receiving irinotecan. Take the anti-diarrhea medication at the first sign of loose or frequent bowel movements.

Call your doctor if you still have diarrhea after 24 hours of taking anti-diarrhea medicine. Do not take loperamide for longer than 2 full days without your doctor's advice.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Contra Indications

Do not use a laxative or stool softener during treatment with irinotecan. These products can worsen diarrhea that may be caused by irinotecan.
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with irinotecan, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.

Avoid getting this medicine on your skin. If this happens, wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Irinotecan can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Special Precautions

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to irinotecan.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive irinotecan:

- liver disease;
- an intestinal disorder or obstruction
- Gilbert's syndrome
- diabetes
- fructose intolerance (irinotecan contains sorbitol); or
- if you are receiving radiation treatment to your abdomen or pelvic area.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive irinotecan without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether irinotecan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Adverse Reactions

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• loose stools, watery diarrhea;
• bloody or black stools;
• runny nose, watery eyes, increased sweating, stomach cramps, and warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• chest pain, pain or swelling in one or both legs;
• welling or irritation where the IV needle is placed;
• nausea or vomiting that keeps you from drinking enough fluids; or
• signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Less serious side effects may include:

• loss of appetite, constipation;
• dizziness;
• redness or peeling of the skin on your hands and feet;
• cough,
• tempoary hair loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects

Updated