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Irinotecan (Camptosar)

Before Taking This Medicine, Tell Your Doctor

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© American Cancer Society 2010

Tell your doctor…

  • If you are allergic to any medicines, dyes, additives, or foods.
  • If you have ever had radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis, as this may put you at increased risk for lowered blood cell counts.
  • If you have ever had liver problems. This drug is cleared from the body mainly by the liver. Reduced liver function may result in more drug than expected staying in the body, which could lead to unwanted side effects. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose accordingly.
  • If you have inherited fructose intolerance. Irinotecan contains sorbitol.
  • If you have any other medical conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, lung or breathing problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, gout, or infections. These conditions may require that your medicine dose, regimen, or timing be changed.
  • If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or if there is any chance of pregnancy. This drug may cause problems with the fetus if taken at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this drug should use some kind of birth control during treatment. It is important to check with your doctor about what kinds of birth control can be used with this medicine. In pregnant women, treatment with this drug should be used only if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the fetus.
  • If you are breast-feeding. While no studies have been done, this drug may pass into breast milk and affect the baby. Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with this drug.
  • If you think you might want to have children in the future. This drug may affect fertility. Talk with your doctor about the possible risk with this drug and the options that may preserve your ability to have children.
  • About any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines you are taking, including vitamins and herbs. In fact, keeping a written list of each of these medicines (including the doses of each and when you take them) with you in case of emergency may help prevent complications if you get sick.

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