What is Irinotecan Hcl? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Irinotecan Hcl

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine is given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for about 90 minutes.

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine is given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for about 90 minutes.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Irinotecan Hcl

Irinotecan Hcl contraindications - Who shouldn't take Irinotecan Hcl?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to irinotecan or you are pregnant.

Irinotecan Hcl warnings

• Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Injection routeThis medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

• This medicine often causes diarrhea. Diarrhea can begin while you are receiving a dose of medicine or shortly afterward, or it may occur more than 24 hours later. Your doctor may give you medicine to treat diarrhea. Follow instructions carefully.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or cause vision problems. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

• This medicine may cause the following problems: Kidney problemsLung problems

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, Gilbert syndrome, lung problems, bone marrow disease, any type of infection, or an enzyme problem called reduced UGT1A1 activity.

• Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Women should not get pregnant for at least 6 months after treatment ends. Men should not father a child for at least 3 months after treatment ends.

• Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 7 days after your last dose of this medicine.

Irinotecan Hcl interactions & what to avoid when taking Irinotecan Hcl

• Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or cause vision problems. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• This medicine may cause the following problems: Kidney problemsLung problems

• This medicine often causes diarrhea. Diarrhea can begin while you are receiving a dose of medicine or shortly afterward, or it may occur more than 24 hours later. Your doctor may give you medicine to treat diarrhea. Follow instructions carefully.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, Gilbert syndrome, lung problems, bone marrow disease, any type of infection, or an enzyme problem called reduced UGT1A1 activity.

• Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

• Some medicines can affect how irinotecan works. You may also need to stop taking certain medicines before you start taking irinotecan. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Gemfibrozil, nefazodone, St John's wort, telaprevirMedicine to treat an infection (including clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, rifabutin, rifampin, voriconazole)Medicine to treat HIV infection (including atazanavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)Medicine to treat seizures (including carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital)Radiation treatment