Colotecan 40mg Injection
Colotecan 40mg Injection is used in the treatment of cancer of colon and rectum. It shows its working by stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
Colotecan 40mg Injection
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Colotecan 40mg Injection is used in the treatment of cancer of colon and rectum. It shows its working by stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
Colotecan 40mg Injection is used in the treatment of cancer of colon and rectum. It shows its working by stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
Colotecan 40mg Injection is given as an IV infusion into vein by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.The most common side effects of this medicine include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and hair loss. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Inform your doctor if you notice fever, sore throat, and continuous episodes of diarrhea. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver, and blood uric acid levels.Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
03Uses
Cancer of colon and rectum
04How To Use
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
05How It Works
Colotecan 40mg Injection is an anti-cancer medication. It works by suppressing the activity of an enzyme (topoisomerase I) involved in DNA multiplication of the cancer cells. This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them.
06What If You Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose of Colotecan 40mg Injection, please consult your doctor.
07Benefits
In Cancer of colon and rectum
Cancer of the colon and rectum, also known as colorectal cancer (CRC) or bowel cancer, is the development of cancer from two parts of the large intestine, namely, the colon or rectum. In this type of cancer, the person may notice symptoms such as blood in the stool, a change in bowel movements, weight loss, and fatigue. Colotecan 40mg Injection treats and also lowers the risk of developing further cancerous growths (polyps) and bowel cancer. It kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is an effective, yet very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
08Side Effects
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Mucosal inflammation
Decreased appetite
Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
Diarrhea
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Fever
Hair loss
Weakness
Vomiting
Nausea
Fatigue
09Safety Information
Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Colotecan 40mg Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Colotecan 40mg Injection is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding:UNSAFE
Colotecan 40mg Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving:UNSAFE
Colotecan 40mg Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Colotecan 40mg Injection is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Colotecan 40mg Injection may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.Use of this medicine is not recommended for patients on dialysis.
Liver:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Colotecan 40mg Injection in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
10Drug Tips
Colotecan 40mg Injection is used in combination with other medicines for the treatment of metastatic cancer of the colon and rectum.
It is given via a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion).
It may cause dizziness and visual disturbances. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine.
Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your blood cells, kidney and liver function during treatment with this medicine.
Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat or rash.
Inform your doctor if you notice passage of blood in stools or experience dizziness or faintness, continuous episodes of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fever.
References
Sources and references
Chu E, Sartorelli AC. Cancer Chemotherapy. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 951.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 736-37.
Irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate. Sandwich, Kent: Pfizer Limited; 1995 . Accessed 26 Jan. 2019] view
Irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate. Barnstaple, Devon: Accord-UK Ltd.; 2007 . view
Drugs and Lactation Database. Bethesda : National Library of Medicine ; 2006. Irinotecan. . view
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation . view
