Irinotecan (Intravenous Route)

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Irinotecan (Intravenous Route)

US Brand Names

Description

Irinotecan injection is given together with other medicines to treat patients with metastatic cancer (a cancer that has already spread) of the colon or rectum.

Irinotecan belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics (cancer medicines). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by the medicine, other effects may also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may occur after treatment with irinotecan has been stopped. Be sure that you have discussed with your doctor the possible side effects of this medicine as well as the good it can do.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, irinotecan is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

• Carcinoma, lung, non-small cell (treatment of non–small cell cancer of the lung).
• Extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer, first-line treatment, in combination with cisplatin (treatment of small-cell lung cancer; used together with cisplatin [Platinol®]).
• Ovarian cancer, platinum-refractory or platinum-resistant (treatment of ovarian cancer that does not respond to platinum-type medicines).
• Malignant glioma, recurrent or progressive (treatment of brain cancer that has returned or is advancing).

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution

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