Drug Study

Drug Name
Generic
irinotecan
Trade
Camptosar

Classificati
on
Antineopla
stic

Indications

Mechanism of Action

First-line
therapy for
metastatic
colorectal
cancer with 5fluoruoracil (5FU) and
leucovorin

Camptosar belongs
to a class of
chemotherapy drugs
called plant
alkaloids. Plant
alkaloids are made
from plants. The
vinca alkaloids are
made from the
periwinkle plant
(catharanthus
rosea). The taxanes
are made from the
bark of the Pacific
Yew tree (taxus).
The vinca alkaloids
and taxanes are also
known as
antimicrotubule
agents. The
podophyllotoxins are
derived from the
May apple plant.
Camptothecan
analogs are derived
from the Asian
"Happy Tree"
(Camptotheca
acuminata).
Podophyllotoxins
and camptothecan
analogs are also
known as

Route/Frequency/Do
sage
Regimen 1

125 mg/m2 IV over

90 minutes on days
1, 8, 15, 22; then

leucovorin 20
mg/m2 IV bolus on
days 1, 8, 15, and
22 and 5-FU 500
mg/m2 IV bolus on
days 1, 8, 15, and
22. Courses are

repeated after six

weeks.

Regimen 2
180 mg/m2 IV over
90 minutes on days
1, 15, 29; then
leucovorin 200
mg/m2 IV over 2
hours on days 1, 2,
15, 16, 29, and 30;
then 5-Fu 400
mg/m2 IV bolus on
days 1, 2, 15, 16,
29, and 30.

Adverse Reactions
Diarrhea
Nausea and
vomiting
Weakness
Low white blood
cell count (this
can put you at
increased risk for
infection)
Low red blood cell
count (anemia)
Hair loss
Poor appetite
Fever
Weight loss
Constipation
Shortness of
breath
Insomnia
Cough
Headache
Dehydration
Chills
Skin rash
Flatulence
Flushing of face
during infusion
Mouth sores
Heartburn
Swelling of feet
and ankles

Drug Interaction

Nursing
Consideration
CYP3A enzyme- Before starting
inducing
Camptosar
anticonvulsants
treatment, make
sure you tell your
Diuretics
doctor about any
other medications
Ketoconazole
you are taking
(including
Laxatives
prescription, overthe-counter,
Neuromuscularvitamins, herbal
blocking agents
remedies, etc.). Do
not take aspirin,
Other
products containing
antineoplastics
aspirin unless your
doctor specifically
Prochlorperazine
permits this.
Do not receive any
Vaccines
kind of
immunization or
vaccination without
your doctor's
approval while
taking Camptosar.
In general the use of
laxatives or stool
stimulants should
be avoided because
of the potential for
worsening diarrhea.
Discuss any
laxative use with

topoisomerase
inhibitors. The plant
alkaloids are cellcycle specific. This
means they attack
the cells during
various phases of
division.

your health care

professional.
Inform your health
care professional if
you are pregnant or
may be pregnant
prior to starting this
treatment.
Pregnancy category
D (Camptosar) may
be hazardous to the
fetus. Women who
are pregnant or
become pregnant
must be advised of
the potential hazard
to the fetus).
For both men and
women: Do not
conceive a child
(get pregnant)
while taking
Camptosar. Barrier
methods of
contraception, such
as condoms, are
recommended.
Discuss with your
doctor when you
may safely become
pregnant or
conceive a child
after therapy.
Do not breast feed
while taking
Camptosar.