Irinotecan SUN
Irinotecan SUN is a cancer medicine that stops cancer cells from growing and spreading in the body.
Form
infuusioneste, liuos
Strength
1.5 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Irinotecan hydrochloride trihydric
Manufacturer
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe B.V.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will calculate your dose based on your body size. If you have had 5-fluorouracil treatment before, the starting dose is 350 mg/m² every three weeks. If you have not had chemotherapy before, the starting dose is 180 mg/m² every two weeks.
Method
Irinotecan SUN is given as an infusion (drip) into a vein over 30 to 90 minutes.
Important
This medicine is given as an infusion every two or three weeks; there is no daily dose. Your doctor will determine the dose and frequency.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Low white blood cell count, increasing infection risk
- •Low red blood cell count, causing tiredness and shortness of breath
- •Poor appetite
- •Cholinergic syndrome (e.g., runny nose, watery eyes, sweating, flushing, stomach cramps, early diarrhea)
- •Vomiting
- •Nausea
- •Abdominal pain
- •Hair loss (reversible)
- •Inflammation of mucous membranes (e.g., mouth sores)
- •Fever
- •Feeling of weakness and fatigue
- •Low platelet count (blood cells that help blood clot), which can cause bruising or bleeding
- •Abnormal liver values
- •Infection
- •Low white blood cell count with fever
- •Constipation
- •Abnormal kidney values
- •Acne-like skin rash (when used with certain other medicines)
RARE
- •Severe, persistent, or bloody diarrhea caused by bacteria (Clostridium difficile)
- •Blood poisoning (sepsis)
- •Dehydration (due to diarrhea and vomiting)
- •Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and pale skin (due to low blood volume)
- •Allergic reaction
- •Temporary speech problems during or shortly after treatment
- •Skin tingling
- •High blood pressure (during or after infusion)
- •Heart problems
- •Lung disease causing wheezing and shortness of breath
- •Hiccups
- •Bowel obstruction (stoppage in the intestine)
- •Enlarged rectum
- •Intestinal bleeding
- •Colitis (inflammation of the large intestine)
- •Abnormal blood test results
- •Perforation of the intestine (a hole in the bowel)
- •Fatty liver disease
- •Skin reactions
- •Reactions at the injection site
- •Low potassium in the blood
- •Low sodium in the blood (mostly related to diarrhea and vomiting)
- •Muscle cramps
- •Kidney problems
- •Low blood pressure
- •Fungal infections
- •Viral infections
Important Warnings
- Do not use Irinotecan SUN if you are allergic to irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have chronic inflammatory bowel disease or a blocked bowel.
- Do not breastfeed while using this medicine.
- Inform your doctor if your bilirubin levels in the blood are too high (more than 3 times the normal limit).
- Tell your doctor if you have severe bone marrow problems or if your general health prevents you from doing daily activities (WHO performance status above 2).
Show 10 more warnings
- Avoid St. John's wort and live weakened vaccines (like yellow fever, chickenpox, measles) during and for 6 months after treatment.
- Irinotecan SUN can cause severe diarrhea. Follow your doctor's instructions for managing it, and drink plenty of fluids.
- This medicine can lower your white blood cell count, increasing your risk of infection. Tell your doctor immediately if you have fever, chills, or new cough.
- You may have nausea and vomiting. Your doctor can prescribe medicines to help prevent or manage these symptoms.
- This medicine can affect your nervous system, causing symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes, sweating, flushing, stomach cramps, and early diarrhea (cholinergic syndrome). Tell your doctor right away if you experience these.
- In rare cases, severe lung problems may occur. Tell your doctor immediately if you have a new or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, or fever.
- This medicine can increase the risk of blood clots. Tell your doctor right away if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling, pain, redness, or warmth in an arm or leg.
- You might get mouth or lip sores, which can be painful and make eating difficult. Your doctor or nurse can give advice on how to manage this.
- Irinotecan SUN can cause dizziness and vision problems within 24 hours of your dose. Do not drive or use machines if you experience these effects.
- If you are a woman who can become pregnant, use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after. If you are a man, use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after.