Irinotecan Liposomal injection

What is this medicine?

IRINOTECAN LIPOSOME (eye ri noe TEE kan LIP oh som) is a chemotherapy drug. It is used to treat pancreatic cancer.

How should I use this medicine?

This drug is given as an infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• cough

• diarrhea

• low blood counts - this medicine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding

• nausea, vomiting

• signs and symptoms of bleeding such as bloody or black, tarry stools; red or dark-brown urine; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding from the eye, gums, or nose

• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

• stomach pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• hair loss

• loss of appetite

• mouth sores

• upset stomach

What may interact with this medicine?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• certain medications for fungal infections like ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole

• certain medications for seizures like carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, phenytoin

• clarithromycin

• gemfibrozil

• mephobarbital

• nefazodone

• phenobarbital

• primidone

• rifabutin

• rifampin

• rifapentine

• St. John's Wort

• telaprevir

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding disorders

• dehydration

• history of blood diseases, like sickle cell anemia or leukemia

• history of low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood

• infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• liver disease

• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• recent or ongoing radiation therapy

• an unusual or allergic reaction to irinotecan liposome, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Check with your doctor or health care professional if you get an attack of severe diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid can make it dangerous for you to take this medicine.

This medicine may interfere with the ability to have a child. You should talk with your doctor or health care professional if you are concerned about your fertility.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 1 month after the last dose; males with female partners should use condoms during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine or for 1 month after the last dose.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.