Topotecan Injection

Topotecan is used to treat ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed) and lung cancer that have spread and did not improve after treatment with other medications. It is also used together with other medications to treat cervical cancer (cancer that begins in the opening of the uterus [womb]) that has not improved or has come back after other treatments. Topotecan is in a class of medications called topoisomerase type I inhibitors. It works by killing cancer cells.

Topotecan comes as a liquid to be given intravenously (into a vein) over 30 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. When topotecan injection is used to treat ovarian or lung cancer, it is usually given once a day for 5 days in a row every 21 days. When topotecan injection is used to treat cervical cancer, it is usually given once a day for 3 days in a row every 21 days. You will probably receive at least 4 cycles of treatment since it may take a while to tell if your condition has responded to the medication.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Topotecan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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constipation</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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stomach or back pain</li>
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mouth sores</li>
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headache</li>
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thinning or loss of hair</li>
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redness or bruising at the site where the medication was injected</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

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unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
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extreme tiredness</li>
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weakness</li>
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pale skin</li>
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shortness of breath</li>
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chest pain</li>
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fast or irregular heartbeat</li>
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numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands or feet</li>
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hives</li>
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rash</li>
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itching</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li></ul>Topotecan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before receiving topotecan injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to topotecan injection, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in topotecan injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving topotecan injection. you should know that topotecan injection may make you feel very tired or weak. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection</li></ul>