Camptosar

Camptosar

Generic Name: irinotecan (EYE ri noe TEE kan)

Brand Names: Camptosar

What is Camptosar?

Camptosar (irinotecan) is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

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

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

Important information about Camptosar

Do not use Camptosar if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Camptosar 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 Camptosar. 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.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Camptosar, 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.

Before receiving Camptosar

You should not use Camptosar if you are allergic to irinotecan.

To make sure you can safely receive Camptosar, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

liver or kidney disease;

diabetes;

asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;

an intestinal disorder or obstruction;

Gilbert's syndrome;

fructose intolerance (Camptosar contains sorbitol); or

if you are receiving radiation treatment to your abdomen or pelvic area.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Camptosar if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective 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. You should not breast-feed while you are using Camptosar.

See also: Camptosar pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How is Camptosar given?

Your doctor may recommend a DNA test before your first dose of Camptosar. Some people are genetically more likely to have certain side effects from Camptosar.

Camptosar is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The injection must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 90 minutes to complete.

You may be given other medications to prevent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other side effects while you are receiving Camptosar. You may need to keep using these medications for at least a day after your Camptosar injection.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Camptosar is injected. If any of the medicine gets on your skin, wash right away with soap and water. This medicine can cause severe diarrhea, which can occur soon after your injection or more than 24 hours later. You can easily become dehydrated if you have ongoing diarrhea. You may also develop a severe infection or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Your doctor may recommend you have an anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide (Imodium) available at all times while you are receiving Camptosar. 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 may need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Camptosar.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Camptosar injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include some of the serious side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while using Camptosar?

Avoid using a laxative or stool softener during treatment with Camptosar.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Camptosar, 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. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guerin), and nasal flu vaccine. Camptosar may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Camptosar side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Camptosar: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

wheezing, feeling short of breath;

chest pain, dry cough;

pale skin, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

runny nose, watery eyes, increased sweating, stomach cramps, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

black, bloody, or tarry stools;

nausea or vomiting that keeps you from drinking enough fluids;

burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle;

sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

swelling, rapid weight gain; or

feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, feeling light-headed, or hot and dry skin.

Less serious Camptosar side effects may include:

dizziness;

temporary hair loss.

loss of appetite, constipation;

mild skin rash; or

redness or peeling of the skin on your hands and feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Camptosar side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Camptosar?

Before you are treated with Camptosar, tell your doctor about all other cancer medicines you have recently used.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

atazanavir (Reyataz);

a diuretic (water pill);

ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal);

rifabutin (Mycobutin);

rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

St. John's wort; or

seizure medicine such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenobarbital (Solfoton), or phenytoin (Dilantin).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Camptosar. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Camptosar resources

Camptosar Side Effects (in More Detail)

Camptosar Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Camptosar Drug Interactions

Camptosar Support Group

1 Review for Camptosar - Add your own review/rating

Camptosar Prescribing Information (FDA)

Camptosar MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Camptosar Monograph (AHFS DI)

Camptosar Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Irinotecan Prescribing Information (FDA)

Irinotecan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Camptosar with other medications

Colorectal Cancer

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Camptosar.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.