Top Salts
Irinotecan
How Irinotecan works
Irinotecan is an anti-cancer medication. It is an inhibitor of topoisomerase, an enzyme important for replication of genetic material (DNA) in the cancer cells. Thus it stops the growth and multiplication of cancer cells.
Side Effects
Fatigue, Nausea, Vomiting, Weakness, Hair loss, Fever, Anemia, Diarrhoea, Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils), Decreased appetite, Mucosal inflammation
Usage
Irinotecan is used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, cervical cancer and cancer of colon and rectum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Irinotecan a vesicant?Irinotecan is not a known vesicant but a precaution should be taken to avoid severe local tissue damage upon extravasation (leaking of injected Azacitidine into the surrounding tissues from the site of administration) when injected
Q. Is Irinotecan chemotherapy?Yes. Irinotecan is chemotherapy, used in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer
Q. Does Irinotecan cause hair loss?No, Irinotecan is not known to cause hair loss
Q. Why does Irinotecan cause diarrhea?Irinotecan damages rapidly dividing normal and cancer cells. Chemotherapy with Irinotecan damages normal cells of gastrointestinal tract, leading to a disruption in the fluid balance that they maintain. Specifically, absorption of fluid from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract back into the body is decreased and secretion of fluid and electrolytes in the stool is increased. This causes watery bowel movements, i.e diarrhea
Q. Does Irinotecan cure cancer?No. Irinotecan can improve symptoms and prolong life of a patient.
