Irinotecan (Intravenous Route)

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Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Anxiety
• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Blurred vision
• Changes in skin color
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Chest tightness or heaviness
• Chills
• Clay colored stools
• Cold hands and feet
• Confusion
• Constricted pupils
• Cough or hoarseness
• Dark urine
• Diarrhea with or without stomach cramps or sweating
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Fever
• Full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
• Headache
• Increased production of saliva
• Increased tear production
• Itching
• Lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Loss of appetite
• Low blood pressure or pulse
• Lower back or side pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs
• Pain
• Pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
• Pain in the shoulders, arms, jaw, or neck
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pale skin
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Redness or swelling of the leg
• Runny nose
• Severe headache of sudden onset
• Shortness of breath or troubled breathing
• Skin rash
• Slow breathing
• Slurred speech
• Sore throat
• Stomach pain
• Stopping of the heart
• Sudden and severe weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body
• Sudden loss of coordination
• Sudden vision changes
• Sweating
• Swelling
• Swelling of the abdomen or stomach area
• Temporary blindness
• Tenderness, pain, or swelling of the arm, foot, or leg
• Trouble with speaking or walking
• Ulcers, sores, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Unconsciousness
• Unpleasant breath odor
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting of blood
• Warm, red feeling over the body
• Yellow eyes or skin

• Bleeding gums
• Coughing up blood
• Decreased urination
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Dryness of the mouth
• Increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• Increased thirst
• Nosebleeds
• Paralysis
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Wrinkled skin

• Decreased amount of urine
• Decreased frequency of urination
• Fast, irregular, or troubled breathing
• Hives
• Increased blood pressure
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Rapid weight gain

• Abdominal or stomach pain and tenderness
• Agitation
• Bloated or full feeling
• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• Coma
• Constipation
• Depression
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Hostility
• Irritability
• Lethargy
• Muscle pain and cramps
• Muscle twitching
• Pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• Rectal bleeding
• Severe abdominal or stomach cramping or burning
• Severe and continuing nausea
• Stupor
• Swelling of the face, lower legs, ankles, fingers, or hands
• Tightness in the chest
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Acid or sour stomach
• Belching
• Blistering, peeling, redness, or swelling of the palms of hands or bottoms of the feet
• Cracked lips
• Excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• Numbness, pain, tingling, or unusual sensations in the palms of hands or bottoms of feet
• Passing gas
• Right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
• Sensation of spinning
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Sleeplessness
• Stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• Trouble sleeping
• Unable to sleep
• Weight loss

• Hiccups

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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