Topotecan injection

What is this medicine?

TOPOTECAN (TOE poe TEE kan) is a chemotherapy drug. It is used to treat lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

In rare cases, you might get this medicine at home. You will be taught how to give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.

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 difficulties

• diarrhea

• dizziness

• fever or chills, sore throat

• mouth sores or pain

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusually weak or tired

• yellowing of the eyes or skin

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

• headache

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach pain

What may interact with this medicine?

• amiodarone

• azithromycin

• captopril

• carvedilol

• certain medications for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole

• clarithromycin

• conivaptan

• cyclosporine

• dronedarone

• eltrombopag

• erythromycin

• felodipine

• grapefruit juice

• lopinavir

• quercetin

• quinidine

• ranolazine

• ritonavir

• ticagrelor

• verapamil

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?

Keep out of the reach of children.

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

In rare cases, this medicine may be given at home. If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store this medicine. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.

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

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

• blood disorders

• dehydration

• diarrhea

• immune system problems

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

• kidney disease

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

• recent or ongoing radiation therapy

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

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

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.

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.

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.

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

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or within 1 month of stopping it. 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.

Men must use a latex condom during sexual contact with a woman while taking this medicine and for 3 months after you stop taking this medicine. A latex condom is needed even if you have had a vasectomy. Contact your doctor right away if your partner becomes pregnant. Do not donate sperm while taking this medicine and for 3 months after you stop taking this medicine.