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Topotecan
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Description
Topotecan is an anti-cancer medication used to treat cancer of the ovaries, cervix and certain cancers of the lungs. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Topotecan
Nausea or Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hair loss
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Stomach pain
Painful or difficult urination
Black or tarry stools
Weight loss
Uses of Topotecan
What is it prescribed for?
Ovarian Cancer
This medicine is used in the treatment of cancer of the ovaries in patients who have not adequately responded to other anticancer medications.
Cervical cancer
This medicine is used in the treatment of cervical cancer, a cancer of the cervix characterized by symptoms such as bleeding in between periods, foul-smelling white discharge, low back pain, lower abdominal pain, etc.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
This medicine is used in the treatment of small cell lung cancer, a highly malignant and aggressive cancer affecting the lungs.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.Duration of effect
The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies were reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to topotecan or any other inactive ingredients present along with this medicine.
Severe myelosuppression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a severe bone marrow suppression (neutrophils less than 1.5 x 109/l or platelet count less than 100 x 109/l) since it may worsen the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Diarrhea
The oral capsule form of this medicine may cause severe diarrhea in some patients. It is advised to withhold the therapy with this medicine in patients with severe diarrhea. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Risk of infections
Use of this medicine may weaken the immune system and may make you more vulnerable to infections. It is advised that you avoid coming in contact with people suffering from an infection while receiving this medicine.
Bonemarrow suppression
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having conditions like thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, anemia, or bone marrow suppression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. A complete blood count should be performed before initiating treatment with this medicine. Close monitoring of blood counts is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause dizziness, visual disturbances, and tiredness. Hence, it is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Injection: Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss any scheduled session, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Capsule: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Injection: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
Capsule: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Deferiprone
Disease interactions
Infections
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with active infections since it may worsen the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered under your doctor's supervision.
Myelosuppression
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with known myelosuppression since it may worsen the patient's condition. Close monitoring of blood cell counts is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Renal Dysfunction
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Lung impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of interstitial lung disease presenting with acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever pending diagnostic evaluation due to the increased risk of the lung toxicity. Close monitoring of lung function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Injection: This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Capsule: Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Topoisomerase Inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
DailyMed - Topotecan hydrochloride- topotecan hydrochloride injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 7 February 2019]. Available from:
Topotecan - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 7 February 2019]. Available from:
Topotecan: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 7 February 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 7 February 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. India-pharma.gsk.com. 2019 [cited 10 May 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 10 May 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.