Irinotel

Irinotel is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Irinotel is used to treat cancers of the colon and rectum. It is usually given with other cancer medicines in a combination chemotherapy.

You should not use Irinotel if you are allergic to it. To make sure Irinotel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: liver or kidney disease; diabetes; asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder; an intestinal disorder or obstruction; Gilbert's syndrome; fructose intolerance (Irinotel contains sorbitol); or if you are receiving radiation treatment to your abdomen or pelvic area.

Do not use Irinotel if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Irinotel passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Irinotel.

Your doctor may recommend a DNA test before your first dose of Irinotel. Some people are genetically more likely to have certain side effects from Irinotel.

Irinotel is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. The IV infusion can take up to 90 minutes to complete. Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle. If any of this medicine gets on your skin, wash right away with soap and water.

You may be given medicine to prevent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other side effects. Irinotel can cause severe diarrhea, which can be life-threatening if it leads to dehydration.

Your doctor may recommend you keep anti-diarrhea medicine on hand at all times. Take the anti-diarrhea medicine at the first sign of loose or frequent bowel movements. Do not take loperamide for longer than 2 full days without your doctor's advice. Call your doctor whenever you have diarrhea during your treatment with Irinotel.

You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Irinotel.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Irinotel injection.

Avoid using a laxative or stool softener during treatment with Irinotel. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Irinotel, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine. Irinotel may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Also call your doctor at once if you have: severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea; nausea or vomiting that keeps you from drinking enough fluids; sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath; pain, redness, numbness, and peeling skin on your hands or feet; dehydration symptoms--feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin; or low blood cell counts--fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, swollen gums, mouth sores, skin sores, rapid heart rate, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed.

Common side effects may include: diarrhea, constipation; nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite; weakness; fever, pain, or other signs of infection; abnormal liver function tests; or temporary hair loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.