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Irinotecan (Camptosar®, CPT-11)
Hematology-Oncology Patient/Family Education Comittee
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: September 19, 2006
Irinotecan (ee ree no te can)
Other Names: Camptosar®, CPT-11
| How it is given: | Irinotecan is injected into a vein. It can be given alone or with other drugs. |
| How it works: | Irinotecan slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. |
Side Effects And Precautions
Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any allergies and what medications you are currently taking, both prescription and over the counter medications. This includes vitamins, herbs, nutritional supplements and any recreational drugs. Ask your doctor about drinking alcoholic beverages. Not everyone experiences side effects during chemotherapy and most side effects are temporary. The side effects that you may experience are:
Common Side Effects
Decrease in the number of white blood cells (neutropenia)
Puts you at risk of infection.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse for a fever of 100.4 F or greater. Avoid people with the flu or colds. When working in your yard, wear protective clothing including long pants and gloves. Do not handle pet waste. Keep all cuts or scratches clean. Shower or bath daily and refer to Chemotherapy and You (NCI, 1997) for mouth care. Do not cut cuticles or ingrown nails. You may wear nail polish but not fake nails. Ask your doctor or nurse before scheduling dental appointments or procedures. Ask you doctor or nurse before you or a family member has any vaccinations.
Decrease in red blood cells (anemia)
Causes loss of energy.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse if you feel more tired than usual or short of breath while doing normal activities.
Decrease in platelets (thrombocytopenia)
Puts you at risk for bruising and bleeding.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding. Do not floss or use toothpicks. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or cotton swab. Ask your doctor or nurse before scheduling dental appointments or procedures. Use an electric razor to avoid cuts. Do not use medication containing aspirin or ibuprofen without asking your doctor or nurse.
Early onset.
May occur during or within 24 hours of infusion. You may experience sweating, abdominal cramping and/or gas.What to do: Call you doctor or nurse immediately if you experience an increase in the number of stools, an increase in the volume of stool or if the stool becomes more liquid. Take the antidiarrheal medication your doctor has prescribed. Increase your fluid intake by drinking more liquids than usual (e.g. sport drinks, broth, gelatin, popsicles, soups). Eat bland foods such as bananas, rice, unsweetened applesauce, toast, cereal, and potatoes. Avoid milk, dairy products, alcohol or fatty, fried, spicy or high fiber foods. If the diarrhea continues for 24 hours contact your doctor or nurse again.
Facial flushing
May occur during the infusion.
What to do: Let your doctor or nurse know if you experience flushing, sweating or dizziness.
Nausea and Vomiting
What to do: Take your anti-nausea medications as prescribed. Try to drink 6-8 glasses of fluid a day. Avoid eating fatty foods, large meals, and acidic foods (e.g. tomatoes, lemons, oranges, grapefruits) and spicy or hot foods when you feel nauseated. Call your doctor or nurse if you are unable to keep fluids down for more than 12 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy at any time.
Decreased appetite
What to do: Try to eat five or six small meals or snacks throughout the day. If you are not eating enough, nutritional supplements may help. Ask your nurse for a copy of the Eating Hints booklet (NCI, 1995) and about nutritional counseling services.
Loss or thinning of scalp and body hair (alopecia)
Your hair may become thinned, brittle or may fall out. This may begin two weeks after treatment starts.
What to do: The use of scarves, wigs and hairpieces may help during this temporary condition.
Skin changes
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse if you develop a rash, itchy skin or blistering of the skin. Keep the areas clean. Your doctor may prescribe creams, ointments and pain medications if needed.
Uncommon Side Effects
Mouth ulcers (sores)
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse if your mouth, tongue or inside of your cheek becomes white, ulcerated or painful. Brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush or cotton swab twice a day. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol. A baking soda and/or salt warm water mouth rinse (2 level teaspoons of baking soda or 1 level teaspoon salt in an eight ounce glass of warm water) is recommended 4 times daily. If your mouth becomes dry, eat moist foods, drink plenty of fluids (6-8 glasses) and suck on sugarless hard candy. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages and citrus juices, smoking and chewing tobacco.
Nervous system changes
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse if you experience dizziness or difficulty in sleeping.
Lung changes
May cause breathing problems at any time, but especially after repeated treatments or with very high doses.
What to do: Call your doctor or nurse if you have shortness of breath, cough or difficulty breathing.