Camptosar Side Effects
The major side effects associated with Camptosar include:
- Fever
- Insomnia
- Asthenia or lack of energy
- Abdominal pain
- Hair loss
- Blurred vision
- Rashes
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Black tarry stools
- Vomiting
- Colon ulcers
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Anemia
- Leukopenia
- Lymphocytopenia
- Neutropenia
- Sepsis
- Death due to sepsis
- Dyspnea
- Bradycardia
- Vasodilation
Post-marketing studies on Camptosar have shown the following adverse reactions:
- Myocardial ischemia
- Hypotension
- Ulcerative colitis
- Ischemic colitis
- Hyponatremia
- Megacolon perforation (very rare)
- Intestinal perforation (very rare)
- Anaphylactic reactions
- Acute renal failure
- Symptomatic pancreatitis (very rare)
- Asymptomatic elevation of pancreatic enzymes (very rare)
- Circulatory failure
- Paresthesia
- Muscular contractions
- Hiccups
- Thromboembolic events
- Increase in serum transaminase levels
Things to Know, Precautions, Things to Ask Your Physician:
Camptosar should be given to patients through intravenous infusion. Patients should be observed for any leakage of the liquid. The infusion site should be checked repeatedly for any signs of inflammatory process.
Patients must undergo blood tests before taking each dose of this medication.
Camptosar is a highly emetogenic medication. Patients are advised to take an antiemetic medication prior to receiving Camptosar.
Patients should be given antibiotics to control diarrhea and must be supplied with a prescription for diarrhea medications like loperamide and oral fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Camptosar injection cannot be used in tandem with Mayo Clinic regimen of 5 FU/LV due to the possibility of toxic death and other serious reactions.
Camptosar can be dangerous to a fetus. Patients who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid receiving this medication. Camptosar is also not recommended for nursing mothers. The safety of this medication has not been established in pediatric patients. Patients above the age of 65 should be very closely monitored for the development of late diarrhea.
Patients should be instructed to report to their physician if they develop:
- Diarrhea
- Unresolved diarrhea even after taking medications
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Black or bloody stools
- Inability to take fluids
- Dehydration
- Visual disturbances
Patients should inform a medical practitioner of any history of the following medical conditions.
- Chickenpox
- Severe bone marrow disease
- Lung disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Infection
- Intestinal obstruction
- Hereditary fructose intolerance
These conditions can compromise the effectiveness of this medication and the medication may worsen these conditions.
Patients should inform their doctor of the medications they are taking, including over-the-counter medications and health supplements.
What to Avoid When Taking the Drug:
The following medications should not be used or should be used with extreme caution with Camptosar:.
- St. John,s Wort
- Rotavirus vaccine, live
- Atazanavir
- Aprepitant
- Rifampin
- Ketoconazole
- Carbamazepine
- Citalopram
- Phenobarbital
- Rifampin
- Lopinavir
- Phenytoin
- Fosaprepitant
- Sorafenib
- Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
- Poliovirus Vaccine, Live
- Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
- Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
- Smallpox Vaccine
- Varicella Virus Vaccine
- Typhoid Vaccine
Camptosar can make the patients feel drowsy and dizzy and a patient may experience visual problems. Avoid participating in any hazardous activities such as driving and handling dangerous machines during treatment with this medication.
Patients should not receive vaccinations while taking this medication. Patients should also try to avoid contact with other persons who have taken live vaccinations. Irinotecan will affect the body’s ability to fight against infections.
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May 9, 2011, 1:27 pm
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May 6, 2011, 1:37 pm
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May 5, 2011, 12:55 pm
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May 4, 2011, 1:29 pm
