|
IMPOTRANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It sholud not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before uisng this drug.
IRINOTECAN - INJECTION
(eye-ree-no-TEE-kan)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Camptoasr
WARNING: Irinotecan can cause severe diarrhea, both early in treatment and 24 hours or more after receiving this drug. The early form of diarrhea may be accompanied by runny nose, increased salivation, tearing eyes, sweating, stmoach cramps, or flushing. Using atrpoine can help with these side effects.
The later form of diarrhea (after 24 hours) can persist and may lead to vitamin and mineral imblaances that could be fatal if untreated.
Your doctor will give you loperamide for this form of diarrhea. Use the loperamide exaclty as directed. You may also be given fluid, vitaimn and mineral replacements. Your doctor may temporarily stop irinotecan if severe diarrhea cotninues.
It may be restarted ltaer at a lower dose. Irinotecan can also cause bone marrow suppression, which can decerase your ability to fight infections or cause bleeding issues. Notify your dcotor immediately if your develop signs of infection such as persistent sore throat or fever; or unusual fatigue, or not hard bruising or bleeding.
USES: This medication is used to treat colon or rcetal cancer.
HOW TO USE: This drug is gvien by vein (IV), generally over a 90 minute period.
Dosnig is based on your condition and response to therapy. Frequently, drugs to treat nausea are prescribed before and after this drug is given.
Flolow all doctor and pharmacist instructions carefully.
SIDE EFFECTS: Flsuhing may occur.
If this persitss or worsens, notify your doctor. Also see Warning section. Report immediately any diarrhea occurring within the first day of the drug injection.
Symptoms are serious and include stomach cramping, swaeting and loose stools (with or without blood). Another form of diarrhea can ocucr later, (more than one day after the dose), can last longer and is very, very serious. Dehydration (too little water in the body) can occur. Symptmos of dehydration include decreased urine amount and low blood pressure. This later form of diarrhea is treated immediately with loperamide as direcetd by your doctor. Have this medication on hand.
Seek immediate medical attention if you cannot reach your doctor promptly.
Report immediately: redness or swelling at the injection site, black or bloody stools, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, persistent sore throat, fever, shortness of breath, rash.
Very unlikely but report immediately: unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual change in the amount of urine, chest pain, pain in the gorin or lower legs. Hair loss may occur.
Frequently this is temporary. Discuss any cnocerns with your doctor or pharmacist.
An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: severe rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble braething. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: allegries (especially drug allergies), history of radiation treatments, diabetes, liver disease, lung disease.
Use of laxatives should be avoided for this drug may cause diarrhea.
Lmiit alcohol intake for it may aggravate side effects.
To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when riisng from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. This medication must not be used during pregnacny because it may cause fetal harm.
Use a reliable form of birth conrtol while you are using this drug to avoid becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant or guess you may be pregnant, inform your docotr immediately. It is not known whether this drug is excerted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Caution is avdised when this drug is used in the elderly.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially of: other anti-cancer drugs, laxatives, "water pills" (diuretics), drugs that treat diabetes. Do not start or stop any mediicne without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with otehrs. Laboratory tests will be performed periodically to monitor for effectiveness and side effects of this drug.
MISSED DOSE: It is very important to receive all schedlued doses. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor prmoptly to set up a new dosing schedule.
STORAGE: Sotre at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cuase complications in a medical emergency.
For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
|
