Irinotecan Accord
Irinotecan Accord is a chemotherapy medicine for advanced colon and rectal cancer that stops cancer cells from growing and spreading.
Form
infuusiokonsentraatti, liuosta varten
Strength
20 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Irinotecan hydrochloride trihydric
Manufacturer
Accord Healthcare B.V.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose based on your age, size, overall health, and any other cancer treatments you are receiving.
Method
This medicine is given as a slow drip into a vein (infusion) by a healthcare professional, usually taking 30 to 90 minutes.
Important
The highest single dose is 350 mg per square meter of body surface area every three weeks (if you had 5-fluorouracil before) or 180 mg per square meter every two weeks (if you haven't had chemotherapy before). Your doctor will determine your exact dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Blood disorders: decreased white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells
- •Delayed diarrhea
- •Nausea and vomiting
- •Hair loss (hair usually grows back after treatment)
- •Temporary increase in liver enzymes or bilirubin (jaundice)
- •Acute cholinergic syndrome: stomach pain, red and watery eyes, runny nose, low blood pressure, sweating, chills, general discomfort, dizziness, vision problems, small pupils, increased tear and saliva production.
- •Fever and infections (including blood poisoning)
- •Fever due to low white blood cell count
- •Dehydration (due to diarrhea or vomiting)
- •Constipation
- •Fatigue
- •Increased liver enzymes and creatinine levels in the blood
RARE
- •Allergic reactions: wheezing, breathing difficulties, swelling, rash, or itching (especially all over the body)
- •Mild skin reactions and reactions at the infusion site
- •Lung disease (interstitial lung disease)
- •Bowel obstruction
- •Abdominal pain and inflammation causing diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis)
- •Kidney failure
- •Decreased blood pressure
- •Heart and circulatory failure (often linked to dehydration or sepsis)
- •Severe allergic reactions: rash, redness, itching, swelling of hands, feet, face, lips, mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness.
- •Early effects: muscle contractions or cramps and numbness (paresthesia)
- •Gastrointestinal bleeding and inflammation of the large intestine (including appendicitis)
- •Bowel perforation
- •Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, inflammation of mucous membranes
- •Pancreatitis
- •Increased blood pressure (during and after infusion)
- •Decreased blood potassium and sodium levels (often linked to diarrhea and vomiting)
- •Temporary speech disturbances
- •Increased levels of digestive enzymes (that break down sugars and fats)
- •Severe, persistent, or bloody diarrhea (possibly with stomach pain or fever), caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria
- •Blood infection
- •Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and pale skin (hypovolemia)
- •Tingling and numbness
- •Heart problems
- •Hiccups
- •Enlarged large intestine
- •Skin reactions
- •Reactions at the injection site
- •Muscle cramps
- •Fungal infections
- •Viral infections
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if you have or have had chronic inflammatory bowel disease or a blocked bowel.
- Do not use if you are breastfeeding.
- Do not use if you have severe liver disease (bilirubin levels more than 3 times the normal limit).
- Do not use if you have severe bone marrow problems.
Show 11 more warnings
- Do not use if your general health is poor (WHO performance status over 2).
- Do not use if you are taking St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).
- Do not use if you have received or will receive live vaccines (like yellow fever, chickenpox, measles) within 6 months of finishing chemotherapy.
- Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have asthma.
- Tell your doctor if you have had radiation therapy before.
- Tell your doctor if you have had severe diarrhea or fever after previous Irinotecan Accord treatment.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, or if you smoke, have high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, as these can increase heart risks during treatment.
- Tell your doctor if you have received or are planning to receive any vaccine.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins, or minerals.
- Tell your doctor if you have Gilbert's syndrome, a genetic condition that can cause yellow skin and eyes due to high bilirubin.