Irinotecan
About Irinotecan
Irinotecan is a prescription medication used to treat advanced cancer of the colon or rectum. It is typically prescribed when other treatments have not produced the desired results or as part of a primary treatment plan. This medicine is designed to help slow or stop the growth of cancer cells in the body.
This medicine is typically injected as an intravenous infusion once every two to three weeks, depending on your treatment plan. Consistency is vital, as keeping your scheduled appointments ensures the medication works continuously to target cancer cells. Since it is injected directly into a vein by a healthcare provider, food intake does not affect how the medication is absorbed, but eating light meals on treatment days and staying well-hydrated can improve your comfort. Making simple lifestyle adjustments, like drinking extra fluids and eating smaller, more frequent meals, can support your body during therapy.
While this medicine is highly effective, it can cause common side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and temporary tiredness. However, you must seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe, watery diarrhoea or signs of a serious infection, such as a high fever or chills.
Talk to your doctor before starting this treatment if you have a history of liver damage, asthma, or kidney disease. Do not take this if you have severe bone marrow failure, severe inflammatory bowel disease, or high levels of bilirubin in your blood.
This medication can interact with certain other medicines, herbal supplements like St. John's Wort, and alcohol, which may increase the risk of severe side effects or make the treatment less effective. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, you must consult your healthcare provider to discuss the specific risks and protective measures needed.
Uses of Irinotecan
Medicinal Benefits
Irinotecan helps slow the growth and spread of advanced cancer cells, supporting better disease control and helping relieve symptoms caused by tumour growth. It is often used as part of combination chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes.
- Helps slow cancer progression: Inhibits the growth and spread of cancer cells, helping control advanced disease and delay tumour progression.
- Relieves cancer-related symptoms: By reducing tumour growth, it may help ease symptoms such as pain, abdominal discomfort, bowel obstruction, or pressure caused by the tumour.
- Enhances combination therapy: Works alongside other chemotherapy medicines to improve the overall effectiveness of cancer treatment in appropriate patients.
- Supports quality of life: Better disease control may help reduce cancer-related symptoms, maintain physical function, and improve overall well-being during treatment.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Irinotecan will be administered by a trained healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Irinotecan
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Temporary hair loss
- Nausea, vomiting, and temporary loss of appetite
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
- Mild abdominal pain or bloating
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe, watery, or frequent diarrhea (especially if it occurs more than 24 hours after treatment or is accompanied by a fever)
- Signs of infection, such as a high fever, chills, sore throat, or body aches
- Shortness of breath, sudden cough, or chest pain
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Manage diarrhoea promptly: Monitor your bowel movements closely. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-diarrhoeal medicine, such as loperamide, to keep at home. Start taking it at the first sign of loose stools and contact your healthcare team if diarrhoea is severe or persistent.
- Report injection site problems immediately: During or after the infusion, tell your nurse immediately if you experience burning, pain, swelling, redness, or a cold sensation at the injection site, as leakage of the medicine outside the vein can damage surrounding tissues.
- Avoid medicines that increase bleeding risk: Do not take aspirin, NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen), or other blood-thinning medicines unless your oncologist specifically advises you to, as Irinotecan may lower your platelet count and increase the risk of bleeding.
- Avoid live vaccines: Do not receive live vaccines during treatment unless your doctor specifically recommends them, as your immune system may be weakened and unable to respond safely.
- Use effective contraception: Use reliable birth control during treatment and for the period recommended by your doctor after your final dose, as Irinotecan can harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor immediately if you or your partner become pregnant during treatment.
Drug Interactions
- Strong liver enzyme inducers (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital): May decrease the level of Irinotecan in your body, making the treatment less effective.
- Strong liver enzyme inhibitors (such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin, or atazanavir): May significantly increase the level of Irinotecan in your body, increasing the risk of severe side effects like low blood counts and severe diarrhea.
- St. John's Wort: Can lower the effectiveness of this medication and should be avoided during treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Irinotecan.
Pregnancy
unsafeIrinotecan should not be used during pregnancy. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. You or your partner must use a reliable form of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking these medications.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIrinotecan should not be used in breastfeeding. Discuss with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionIrinotecan can make you dizzy or impair your vision, especially in the first 24 hours after taking it. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
Liver
cautionIrinotecan should be used with caution if you have liver disease. Inform your doctor before receiving the Irinotecan if you have had a liver impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionIt is not recommended for use in patients on dialysis. Inform your doctor before receiving the Irinotecan if you have had a kidney impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
cautionSafety and effectiveness in children have not been established. Hence, use is not recommended.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well hydrated: Drink plenty of clear fluids, such as water, oral rehydration solutions, or clear broths, to replace lost fluids, especially if you develop diarrhoea during treatment.
- Eat small, easy-to-digest meals: Choose bland, low-fibre foods such as bananas, white rice, applesauce, plain toast, or crackers if you experience nausea or diarrhoea. Gradually return to your normal diet as your symptoms improve.
- Avoid foods that worsen stomach upset: Limit dairy products (if they aggravate symptoms), caffeine, alcohol, and spicy, greasy, or highly seasoned foods, as these may increase nausea or diarrhoea.
- Reduce your risk of infections: Wash your hands frequently, maintain good personal hygiene, and avoid close contact with people who have contagious illnesses, as this medicine may temporarily lower your white blood cell count and increase your risk of infections.
Special Advise
Keep all of your doctor's and laboratory appointments. Your doctor will arrange tests to assess your body's reaction to Irinotecan.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: Cancer is a genetic change in which our cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. There are two types of cancer: benign (localized) and metastatic (spread to the whole body). Types of cancer include blood, lung, breast, etc. Cancer growth can be prevented by chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell therapy.
Colorectal cancer: Colorectal cancer is a condition in which cells in the colon or rectum proliferate uncontrollably. It is known as colon cancer. The colon is also known as the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the tunnel between the colon and the anus.
FAQs
Irinotecan is used to treat Colorectal cancer.
Irinotecan contains Irinotecan works by blocking an enzyme called topoisomerase I. All cells need this enzyme to divide and grow. Irinotecan blocks this enzyme so the cancer cells can't divide. As a result, Irinotecan inhibits cancer cell division and growth.
Irinotecan should not be used in patients with pulmonary diseases. So, inform your doctor if you have pulmonary disorders (lung problems).
While taking Irinotecan, make sure you visit your doctor at all the appointments to ensure that treatment works. Regular monitoring of blood and lipid tests and weight checks are required. An effective way of contraception should be used by both men and women while taking the Irinotecan.
The live vaccine may not work while on treatment with Irinotecan. Only have immunizations/vaccinations after talking to your doctor first. Also, avoid contact with people who recently had immunizations /vaccinations.
Irinotecan therapy may lead to Neutropenia (an unusually low number of neutrophil cells). Your doctor will order laboratory testing on a regular basis before and during your treatment.
You should know that this medicine may reduce fertility in both men and women. Discuss the risks of taking an irinotecan injection with your doctor.
You are recommended to take the advice of your doctor before taking Irinotecan. As Irinotecan is not used during pregnancy.
The common side effects of Irinotecan are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, anorexia (an eating disorder), neutropenia (an unusually low number of cells called neutrophils), leukopenia (including lymphocytopenia), anaemia (not having enough healthy red blood cells), asthenia (abnormal weakness), fever, weight loss, alopecia (hair loss). If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
This medicine can irritate the digestive tract and affect the nerves that control bowel movements. This can cause early diarrhoea (during the infusion) or late diarrhoea (days after). Talk to your doctor about how to manage this with anti-diarrhoea medications.
This medicine can cause dizziness, sleepiness, or temporary vision problems shortly after administration. It is safest to have someone else drive you home after your appointment. Talk to your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Yes, temporary hair thinning or hair loss is a common side effect of this treatment. Your hair will typically start to grow back after your chemotherapy cycles are complete. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about managing hair loss.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol during treatment. Alcohol can worsen nausea, increase dehydration, and put extra strain on your liver, which is already processing the medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.
A fever (especially 38°C/100.4°F or higher) is a medical emergency during this treatment because your immune system may be weak. Contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Talk to your doctor about monitoring your temperature.
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