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irinotecan - injection, Camptosar

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GENERIC NAME: IRINOTECAN - INJECTION (eye-ree-no-TEE-kan)

BRAND NAME(S): Camptosar

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: You will be closely monitored (e.g., blood tests) by your doctor while using this medication. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.

Irinotecan may cause severe diarrhea, which can occur during or right after you receive this medication and/or more than 24 hours afterward. If the diarrhea starts immediately, you may also have other side effects such as runny nose, increased saliva, watery eyes, sweating, stomach cramps, or flushing. If the diarrhea starts later, it could be a different type that may be persistent and can cause serious (possibly fatal) loss of too much body water (dehydration), mineral imbalance, or serious infection (sepsis). Tell your doctor immediately if you have diarrhea and/or any of the symptoms that occur with the early form of diarrhea. Also tell your doctor if you have stomach/abdominal pain, extreme thirst, very dry mouth, muscle cramps/weakness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, or signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat). Your doctor should prescribe other medications to treat the diarrhea and other symptoms.

This medication may cause very serious (possibly fatal) blood disorders (decreased bone marrow function leading to low number of blood cells such as white cells, red cells, and platelets). This effect can decrease your body's ability to fight an infection, cause your body to bruise or bleed easier, or cause anemia. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following: signs of infection (fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, unusual tiredness, fast/pounding heartbeat.

USES: This medication is used to treat cancer of the colon and rectum.OTHER This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.This drug may also be used to treat other types of cancer (such as lung, bone cancer).

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.