Camptosar (Irinotecan) belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medications known as antineoplastics. It kills cancer cells by interfering with the genetic material DNA, which is necessary for their growth and reproduction. Camptosar (Irinotecan) is usually used in combination with other medications to treat colon or rectal cancer. It may also be used alone to treat colon or rectal cancer that has spread to other areas of the body after receiving treatment with 5-fluouracil.

Camptosar (Irinotecan) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Camptosar (Irinotecan) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Camptosar (Irinotecan) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Camptosar (Irinotecan) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Camptosar (Irinotecan), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Camptosar (Irinotecan) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Camptosar (Irinotecan) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Camptosar (Irinotecan) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose and dosing schedule of Camptosar (Irinotecan) varies according to the stage of therapy, the stage of cancer, the response to therapy, and the person's body size. Camptosar (Irinotecan) is given in cycles that include rest periods between treatments. It is injected into a vein through a specially prepared site on the skin. The appropriate dose of Camptosar (Irinotecan) is usually given by an infusion over a period of about 90 minutes.  This cycle is repeated until it is determined that treatment is completed. Very careful handling of Camptosar (Irinotecan) is required. Camptosar (Irinotecan) is always used under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor.

It is important Camptosar (Irinotecan) be given exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive Camptosar (Irinotecan), contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Camptosar (Irinotecan). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Camptosar (Irinotecan) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Camptosar (Irinotecan). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• decrease in or loss of appetite
• increased saliva production
• increased sweating
• indigestion
• nausea and vomiting
• skin rash
• stomach cramps or pain
• temporary hair loss
• weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• flushing
• signs of Anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)
• skin rash, Hives, or itching
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
• swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes
• symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour)
• tightness in chest
• unusual and severe tiredness or weakness
• vision changes
• vomiting for more than 12 hours
• watery eyes

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• Diarrhea, with or without stomach cramps or sweating
• diarrhea with Fever or that lasts longer than 24 hours
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• fainting
• pain or burning during the injection
• runny or stuffy nose
• shortness of breath or troubled breathing
• signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools; spitting up blood; vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
• signs of a blood clot in the arm or leg (tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the arm or leg) or lungs (difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain that is worse when breathing in, coughing, coughing up blood, sweating, or passing out)
• signs of dehydration (e.g., decreased urine, dry skin, dry and sticky mouth, sleepiness, dizziness, headache, thirst, confusion)
• signs of a Heart Attack (e.g., chest pain or pressure, pain extending through shoulder and arm, nausea and vomiting, sweating)
• signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of Stroke (e.g., sudden or severe headache; sudden loss of coordination; vision changes; sudden slurring of speech; or unexplained weakness, numbness, or pain in arm or leg)
• slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• sore throat
• swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• swelling of stomach area
• tingling or numbness of the mouth or tongue

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Camptosar (Irinotecan).

Do not use Camptosar (Irinotecan) if you:

• are allergic to Camptosar (Irinotecan) or any ingredients of Camptosar (Irinotecan)
• are taking an azole antifungal (e.g., fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• have hereditary fructose intolerance
• have taken ketoconazole within the past week

There may be an interaction between Camptosar (Irinotecan) and any of the following:

• Amiodarone
• amphotericin B
• Apalutamide
• Aprepitant
• azole antifungal medications (e.g., fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• BCG
• Baricitinib
• Bicalutamide
• Bosentan
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Carbamazepine
• Carvedilol
• Clozapine
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Deferiprone
• Denosumab
• Dipyridamole
• Dronedarone
• echinacea
• Elagolix
• Eliglustat
• Enzalutamide
• Eslicarbazepine
• Fingolimod
• Flibanserin
• Gemfibrozil
• grapefruit juice
• Hepatitis C antivirals (e.g., dasabuvir, glecaprevir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, pibrentasvir)
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• laxatives
• Leflunomide
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Natalizumab
• Mesalamine
• mifepristone
• Mitotane
• Modafinil
• natalizumab
• Ocrelizumab
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Pimecrolimus
• Prazosin
• primidone
• Propafenone
• quinidine
• quinine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Roflumilast
• St. John's wort
• Sarilumab
• Tacrolimus
• Tocilizumab
• Tofacitinib
• Tolvaptan
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Dabrafenib, imatinib, Nilotinib, Pazopanib, Sunitinib)
• vaccines
• valproate

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Camptosar (Irinotecan). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.