Topotecan

Pronunciation: TOE-poe-TEE-kan
Generic Name: Topotecan
Brand Name: Hycamtin

Topotecan may cause severe and sometimes fatal bone marrow suppression and blood problems. These blood problems may increase the risk of developing a severe infection. Topotecan should not be used in patients who have low platelet levels or very low white blood cell levels. Contact your doctor at once if you have symptoms of an infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat, painful urination), unusual bruising or bleeding, or unusual fatigue. Frequent blood tests will be performed to monitor for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Topotecan is used for:

Treating certain types of ovarian or lung cancer that do not respond well to other types of cancer treatment. It may be used to treat certain types of cervical cancer that cannot be treated by surgery or radiation therapy. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Topotecan is an antineoplastic. It works by killing certain cancer cells.

Do NOT use Topotecan if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Topotecan


• you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• you have severe bone marrow problems, low platelets, or very low white blood cell levels

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Topotecan:

Some medical conditions may interact with Topotecan. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of kidney problems, bone marrow problems, or blood problems


• if you have a history of lung problems (eg, interstitial lung disease [ILD], pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer) or if your chest area has been exposed to radiation.


• if you have recently received a live vaccine

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Topotecan. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Medicines that may harm the lungs (eg, certain antiarrhythmics, certain antibiotics, amphotericin B, certain cancer drugs) because the risk of serious lung problems may be increased. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the lungs


• Carboplatin, cisplatin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), or other antineoplastic medicines because the risk or duration of severe bone marrow or blood problems may be increased


• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because they may decrease Topotecan's effectiveness


• Live vaccines (eg, measles, mumps) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Topotecan

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Topotecan may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Topotecan:

Use Topotecan as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Topotecan is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.


• If Topotecan accidentally spills on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water.


• If you miss a dose of Topotecan, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Topotecan.

Important safety information:

• Topotecan may cause tiredness or weakness during treatment and for several days after treatment. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Topotecan with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Topotecan may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Topotecan may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Some patients taking Topotecan have developed severe and sometimes fatal lung problems. The risk may be greater if you have a history of certain lung problems or if your chest area has been exposed to radiation. It may also be greater if you take certain other medicines. Tell your doctor right away if you develop a cough, fever, shortness of breath, blue or unusually pale skin or nails, or chest pain.


• If nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite occurs, ask your doctor or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects.


• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Topotecan. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.


• If you may become pregnant, you must use an effective form of birth control while you take Topotecan. If you have questions about effective birth control, talk with your doctor.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Topotecan. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Topotecan with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Topotecan should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Topotecan if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Topotecan is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Topotecan.

Possible side effects of Topotecan:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; fatigue; hair loss; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain; tiredness; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blue or unusually pale skin or nails; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; painful or burning urination; persistent or severe cough; persistent or severe pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; persistent or severe stomach pain or cramps; persistent or severe tiredness or weakness; shortness of breath; unusual or unexplained bruising or bleeding; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Topotecan side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Topotecan:

Topotecan is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Topotecan at home, store Topotecan as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Topotecan out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Topotecan, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Topotecan is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Topotecan. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Topotecan resources

• Topotecan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Topotecan Dosage
• Topotecan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Topotecan Drug Interactions
• Topotecan Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Topotecan - Add your own review/rating

• Topotecan Prescribing Information (FDA)


• topotecan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• topotecan Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Hycamtin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Hycamtin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Topotecan with other medications

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• Cervical Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
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