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Community data Updated 2 months ago

Irinotecan Hydrochloride

Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Prescription
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Indications

Cancer

Irotecan Injection is used as part of first-line treatment, in combination with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Leucovorin (LV), for patients with metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum. It is also used for patients with metastatic colon or rectal cancer whose disease has come back or worsened after initial Fluorouracil-based treatment.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Irinotecan belongs to a family of anti-cancer compounds derived from camptothecin. These agents work by targeting topoisomerase I, an enzyme that normally relieves tension in the DNA strand by creating small, temporary breaks in it that are then resealed. Irinotecan, along with its active byproduct SN-38, attaches itself to the topoisomerase I-DNA complex and blocks this resealing process, leaving the breaks unrepaired.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Category D. Irinotecan can cause fetal harm if given to a pregnant woman. In animal studies, radioactivity was detected in rat milk within 5 minutes of an intravenous dose of radiolabeled Irinotecan, reaching levels up to 65 times higher than plasma concentrations by 4 hours after dosing. Whether this drug passes into human breast milk is not known.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Colorectal cancer, combination regimen 1: Irinotecan 125 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 90 minutes on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, together with LV 20 mg/m2 as an intravenous bolus infusion on the same days, followed by 5-FU as an intravenous bolus infusion on the same days. The cycle repeats every 6 weeks. The original text gives no 5-FU dose for this regimen. Colorectal cancer, combination regimen 2: Irinotecan 180 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 90 minutes on days 1, 15 and 29. LV 200 mg/m2 is given as an intravenous infusion over 2 hours on days 1, 2, 15, 16, 29 and 30. This is followed by 5-FU 400 mg/m2 as an intravenous bolus infusion and then 5-FU 600 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 22 hours, both on days 1, 2, 15, 16, 29 and 30. Colorectal cancer, single agent regimen 1: Irinotecan 125 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 90 minutes on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, then a 2-week rest. Colorectal cancer, single agent regimen 2: Irinotecan 350 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 90 minutes on day 1, every 3 weeks.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.