Re: Digest Number 1757

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/4/2005 5:22:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

petakerr2002@... writes:

Hi me again

Just got some bad news today. My sister's cancer has spread to her stomach

and there is quite a bit of fluid that is cancerous as well. Not sure about

the old tumours, if there is growth as well. She still hasn't gotten the

rest of that poop out yet!

She will be starting another chemo regimen next week (folfiri??), anyone

know much about this drug??

peta

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irinotecan

Trade Name(s):

Camptosar, Camptothecan-11, CPT-11

Type of Drug:

Irinotecan belongs to a general group of chemotherapy drugs known as

topoisomerase inhibitors. It is used to treat colon and rectal cancers.

How Drug Works:

Irinotecan stops the growth of cancer cells by preventing the development of

elements necessary for cell division.

How Drug Is Given:

Irinotecan is given by an injection in a vein over 90 minutes weekly for 3

weeks and then 1 off, or once every 3 weeks. The dose depends on your size,

your age, whether you have had radiation to your abdomen/pelvis, how well your

liver is working, your blood counts, and whether you have had any side

effects such as diarrhea.

Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it

causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor:

If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. This

drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the

time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this

drug need to use some kind of birth control. However, do not use oral

contraceptives (“the pillâ€) without checking with your doctor.

If you think you may want to have children in the future. Many chemotherapy

drugs can cause sterility.

If you have any of the following medical problems: chickenpox or exposure to

chickenpox, gout, heart disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney

stones, liver disease, or other forms of cancer.

If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs,

including vitamins and herbals.

Should I avoid any other medications, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?

Your prescription and nonprescription medications may interact with other

drugs, causing a harmful effect. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact

with drug products. Never begin taking a new medication, prescription or

nonprescription, without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with

alcohol, foods or other medications. Some drug products can cause drowsiness

and

may affect activities such as driving.

Precautions:

While you are being treated with irinotecan, and after you stop treatment,

do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor’s okay. Try

to avoid contact with people who have recently taken the oral polio vaccine.

Check with your doctor about this.

Irinotecan may lower your blood counts (white blood cells, red blood cells,

platelets). Your doctor will check your blood counts before and after each

treatment to see how it affects your blood counts. Your doctor or nurse will

give you specific instructions if your blood counts are low.

Irinotecan can decrease your white blood cell count, especially 21 days

after the drug is given. This can increase your risk of getting an infection.

Report fever of 100.5°F or higher, or signs of infection such as pain in

passing

your urine, or coughing, and bringing up sputum.

Irinotecan can decrease your platelet count. This can increase your risk of

bleeding. DO NOT take any aspirin or aspirin–containing medicines. Report

unusual bruising, or bleeding such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums when you brush

your teeth, or black, tarry stools.

During the drug infusion, tell your nurse if you start sweating, have

abdominal cramping, or diarrhea. Your nurse will give you a special medicine to

stop this reaction.

Irinotecan can cause nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor or nurse to give

you medicines to prevent or lessen this.

Irinotecan can cause severe diarrhea. It is very important to understand how

to give yourself medicine to stop the diarrhea. Your doctor or nurse will

give you instructions. Make sure you get the medicine right away, so that you

will have it at home to stop the diarrhea immediately.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are

taking this drug.

Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.

Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with

you.

They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.

Side Effects:

More Common Side Effects:

Nausea

Vomiting

Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection

Sweating, abdominal cramping, or diarrhea during infusion

Diarrhea occurring the day after treatment, which can be severe

Tiredness (fatigue)

Anemia

Less Common Side Effects:

Flushing during infusion

Rare Side Efects:

Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding

Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.

FDA Approval:

This drug is approved for cancer treatment.

Note: This information was adapted from the American Cancer Society's

Consumers Guide to Cancer Drugs. Copyright © 2004, and Bartlett

Publishers.

This information may not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side

effects, or interactions, is not intended as medical advice, and should not be

relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who is

familiar with your medical needs. For more information, contact your American

Cancer

Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

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