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Irinotecan (CPT-11)

Irinotecan is among the newest cancer chemotherapy drugs which has become available in past few years and approved by FDA in 1996 for treatment of recurrent Colon Cancer. This drug is being studied to determine its efficacy against other cancers.

Side effects:

The degree and severity of the side effects depend on the amount and schedule of the administration of Hydrea. Following are some of the most common and important ill effects of Irinotecan are: 

• Severe Diarrhea, which may happen in one out of four patients.

• Low white blood counts

• Damage to the lungs

The type and extent of a cancer will determine the method and schedule of administration of this drug. This decision is made by the medical oncologist . It is given once a week or once every 3-6 weeks, intravenously, for as long as the patient responds to the drug. It is imperative that patients relay any side effects or problems to their medical oncologists.