About irinotecan anhydrous free base
Pegylated liposomal topoisomerase I inhibitor
Used for
- Treats metastatic pancreatic cancer with fluorouracil and folinic acid after gemcitabine-based therapy.
Usual adult dose
70 mg/m² intravenously over 90 minutes every two weeks, with fluorouracil and folinic acid; lower starting doses may apply for certain patients.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low blood cell counts
- Fatigue
Important warnings
- Can cause severe, potentially life-threatening diarrhea, infection, or low blood counts.
- Monitor blood counts and promptly manage diarrhea and dehydration.
- Not interchangeable with conventional irinotecan.
- Avoid in severe liver impairment; treatment requires specialist supervision.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Effective contraception is recommended during treatment and for one month afterward.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for one month after the last dose.
Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 inhibitors may increase toxicity.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers may reduce effectiveness.
- Avoid other medicines that cause diarrhea or suppress bone marrow when possible.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.