Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Because irinotecan has been reported to cause diarrhea in the majority of treated patients, the use of laxatives may not be appropriate during irinotecan therapy.

MANAGEMENT: In patients requiring laxatives for constipation associated with narcotic administration, the standard regimen may be continued under supervision of the clinician. However, patients should be advised to inform their physician of any changes in their bowel habit so that dosage adjustments or discontinuation of laxatives may be done promptly.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Bowel cleansing products can increase the gastrointestinal transit rate. Oral medications administered within one hour of the start of administration of the bowel cleansing solution may be flushed from the gastrointestinal tract and not properly absorbed.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised that absorption of oral medications may be impaired during bowel cleansing treatment. Oral medications (e.g., anticonvulsants, oral contraceptives, antidiabetic agents, antibiotics) should not be administered during and within one hour of starting bowel cleansing treatment whenever possible. However, if concomitant use cannot be avoided, monitoring for reduced therapeutic effects may be advisable.