Details

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Irinotecan 40mg, 100mg Injection is a cell specific anticancer drug belonging to group camptothecins.

The camptothecins are plant alkaloids derived from the  treeCamptotheca acuminata found in China.

It is a semisynthetic derivative of camptothecins that inhibits topoisomerase I and is metabolized in the liver to form cytotoxic metabolite.

It is used as both single drug therapy and in combination with other anticancer drugs.

Mechanism of action: Irinotecan is a prodrug which is hydrolyzed by hepatic enzymes to its cytotoxic metabolite, that inhibits topoisomerase I. This topoisomerase I enzyme is required for DNA replication and its inhibition results in termination of DNA replication leading to the death of the cancer cell.

It is available as Camptosar and Campto in the International market and Campto&Irinomil  in Indian market.

 

Uses

• Irinotecan 40mg, 100mg Injection is used as first-line chemotherapy in combination with fluorouraciL and leucovorin for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.This regimen is known as FOLFIRI.
• Camptosar is also used as second-line therapy as a single drug in metastatic colorectal cancer after failed fluorouracil based therapy.
• Campto is indicated in gastroesophageal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
• Irinomil is also used as a combination with Cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer.
• It is also used in metastatic pancreatic cancer, cervical and ovarian cancer.

Dosage

• Campto comes as a single dose concentrate solution in 40 and 100 mg vials and is given intravenously for over 90 minutes.
• Irinomil must be administered by healthcare professionals only.
• Dosages are determined by the doctor according to the severity of disease, pre existing medical condition ,weight, response and side effects of the body to the drug.
• Dosages are also adjusted to minimise the dose related side effects.

Side effects

• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Acute and delayed Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Hair loss
• Pain
• Infections
• Asthenia
• Hypersensitivity
• kidney Failure
• Liver toxicity
• Bone marrow suppression

Precautions

• Irinomil is contraindicated in severe bone marrow depression, inflammatory bowel disease, severe liver dysfunction, allergy to Irinotecan, breastfeeding mothers and recent live attenuated vaccination.
• Tell the doctor about ongoing medications and any allergy before starting the Irinotecan 40mg, 100mg Injection.
• Always inform the doctor about pregnancy or future plan of pregnancy and
• Campto is not used in pregnancy as it causes serious foetal damage.

Irinotecan 40mg, 100mg Injection must be used very carefully in patients already having kidney & liver problems, severe low blood count, acute infections.