Camptosar Side Effects
Generic name: irinotecan
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 18, 2025.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Camptosar Side Effects associated with irinotecan. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Camptosar.
Applies to irinotecan: intravenous solution.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Intravenous route (solution)
Early and late forms of diarrhea can occur.
Early diarrhea may be accompanied by cholinergic symptoms which may be prevented or ameliorated by atropine; late diarrhea can be life threatening and should be treated promptly with loperamide.
Monitor patients with diarrhea and give fluid and electrolytes as needed.
Institute antibiotic therapy if patients develop ileus, fever, or severe neutropenia.
Interrupt irinotecan and reduce subsequent doses if severe diarrhea occurs.
Severe myelosuppression may occur.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last dose. Males who are using this medicine, with female partners who can become pregnant must use effective birth control during and for at least 3 months after the last dose of this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have chills, fever, hives, hoarseness, itching, rash, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive the medicine.
Irinotecan may cause diarrhea, which can last long enough and be severe enough to cause serious medical problems. If diarrhea occurs while you are being treated with irinotecan (the active ingredient contained in Camptosar)
- Check with your doctor immediately. Be sure to let your doctor know if the diarrhea started during an irinotecan injection or less than 24 hours afterwards. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you had any other symptoms, such as stomach cramps or sweating, before the diarrhea started. This means that you are having a certain kind of diarrhea that may need to be treated by your doctor.
- If diarrhea first occurs more than 24 hours after a dose of irinotecan, start taking loperamide (Imodium A-D®) as soon as you notice that your bowel movements are occurring more often or are more loose than usual. Loperamide is available without a prescription. Buy some of it ahead of time, so that you will have it on hand in case it is needed. Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, take 4 milligrams (mg) of loperamide (2 capsules or tablets, or 4 teaspoonfuls of the oral solution dosage form) for the first dose, then 2 mg (1 capsule or tablet, or 2 teaspoonfuls of the oral solution dosage form) every 2 hours. To interrupt your sleep less often, you may take 4 mg of loperamide every 4 hours during the night. Continue taking loperamide, day and night, until you have not had any diarrhea for 12 hours. It is very important that you follow these (or your doctor's) directions, even though they are different from the directions on the nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) loperamide package label. The largest amount of loperamide recommended on the package label for use in a 24-hour period (8 mg) is not enough for treating diarrhea caused by irinotecan. Notify your doctor if the diarrhea is not controlled within 24 hours.
- Diarrhea causes loss of body fluid, which can lead to dehydration, a serious medical problem. To prevent this, it is very important that you replace the lost fluid. While you have diarrhea, and for a day or two after the diarrhea has stopped, drink plenty of clear liquids, such as ginger ale, caffeine-free cola, decaffeinated tea, and broth. Ask your doctor about the amount of liquid you should be drinking every day. Also, ask your doctor whether you should use a sports drink (eg, Gatorade®), which contains other substances, such as sodium and potassium, that may be lost along with body fluid. Follow your doctor's directions very carefully.
- Because alcohol and caffeine can increase fluid loss, you should not drink beverages or take any medicines that contain them while you have diarrhea. Also, avoid eating foods that may make diarrhea worse, such as bran, raw fruits or vegetables, or fatty, fried, or spicy foods.
- Vomiting can also increase the amount of fluid lost by the body and increase the risk of dehydration. If vomiting occurs at the same time as diarrhea, check with your doctor right away.
- Signs of too much fluid loss (dehydration) include decreased urination, dizziness or light-headedness, dryness of the mouth, fainting, increased thirst, and wrinkled skin. If any of these occur, check with your doctor immediately.
Irinotecan can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are needed for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:
- If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
- Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
- Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Also, check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
- Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
- Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
- Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.
Call your doctor right away if you have an unexplained fever, cough, or trouble breathing after receiving this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious lung problem.
This medicine may increase your risk of having blood clots. Tell your doctor right away if you start having a sudden and severe headache, trouble breathing, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. This medicine may also cause blurred vision or other vision problems. If any of these side effects occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or not able to see well. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.
If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men and women using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).
Ketoconazole (Nizoral®) and St. John's wort should not be used while you are receiving irinotecan. If you are using St. John's wort, it should be discontinued at least 2 weeks before the first cycle of irinotecan. If you are using ketoconazole, it should be discontinued at least 1 week before starting irinotecan treatment.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Serious side effects of Camptosar
Along with its needed effects, irinotecan may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking irinotecan:
More common side effects
- anxiety
- black, tarry stools
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- changes in skin color
- chest pain or discomfort
- chest tightness or heaviness
- chills
- clay colored stools
- cold hands and feet
- confusion
- constricted pupils
- cough or hoarseness
- dark urine
- diarrhea with or without stomach cramps or sweating
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- fever
- full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
- headache
- increased production of saliva
- increased tear production
- itching or skin rash
- lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- loss of appetite
- low blood pressure or pulse
- lower back or side pain
- nausea or vomiting
- numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs
- pain
- pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
- pain in the shoulders, arms, jaw, or neck
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- redness or swelling of the leg
- runny nose
- severe headache of sudden onset
- slow breathing
- slurred speech
- sore throat
- stomach pain
- stopping of the heart
- sudden and severe weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body
- sudden loss of coordination
- sudden vision changes
- sweating
- swelling
- swelling of the abdomen or stomach area
- temporary blindness
- tenderness, pain, or swelling of the arm, foot, or leg
- troubled breathing
- trouble with speaking or walking
- ulcers, sores, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- unconsciousness
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of blood
- warm, red feeling over the body
- yellow eyes or skin
Less common side effects
- bleeding gums
- coughing up blood
- decreased urination
- difficulty with swallowing
- dryness of the mouth
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- increased thirst
- nosebleeds
- paralysis
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- sneezing
- wrinkled skin
Rare side effects
- decreased amount of urine
- decreased frequency of urination
- fast, irregular, or troubled breathing
- hives
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rapid weight gain
Incidence not known
- abdominal or stomach pain and tenderness
- agitation
- bloated or full feeling
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- coma
- constipation
- depression
- heartburn or indigestion
- hostility
- irritability
- lethargy
- muscle pain and cramps
- muscle twitching
- pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- rectal bleeding
- severe abdominal or stomach cramping or burning
- severe and continuing nausea
- stupor
- swelling of the face, lower legs, ankles, fingers, or hands
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds
Other side effects of Camptosar
Some side effects of irinotecan may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common side effects
- acid or sour stomach
- belching
- blistering, peeling, redness, or swelling of the palms of hands or bottoms of the feet
- cracked lips
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- numbness, pain, tingling, or unusual sensations in the palms of the hands or bottoms of feet
- passing gas
- right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
- sensation of spinning
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- trouble sleeping
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- hiccups
For healthcare professionals
Applies to irinotecan: intravenous solution.
Gastrointestinal adverse events
- Very common (10% or more): Late diarrhea (23%), nausea (16%), dehydration (15%), abdominal pain (15%), Grade 3 diarrhea (15%), constipation, flatulence, stomatitis, dyspepsia, mucositis
- Common (1% to 10%): Grade 4 diarrhea, early diarrhea, anorexia, constipation, abdominal enlargement
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Intestinal obstruction, ileus, megacolon, GI hemorrhage
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Colitis, ischemic colitis, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis[Ref]
Hematologic
- Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (54%) [Grade 3 neutropenia (30%), Grade 4 neutropenia (24%)], leucopenia (38%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, neutropenic fever, thrombocytopenia, neutropenic infection, thrombophlebitis
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Biliary sepsis[Ref]
Metabolic
- Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (49%), weight loss (20%), hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, dehydration
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia, dehydration[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (22%), sweating, rash[Ref]
Respiratory
- Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea, cough, rhinitis
- Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (23%), headache (17%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Cholinergic syndrome, dysgeusia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, myocardial infarction
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vasodilation
- Postmarketing reports: Myocardial ischemic events[Ref]
Hepatic
- Common (1% to 10%): Hypoalbuminemia, increased bilirubin, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase, increased international
- Frequency not reported: Hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis[Ref]
Other
- Very common (10% or more): Asthenia (20%), chills, edema
- Common (1% to 10%): Pain, fever[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Mild allergic reactions
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Severe anaphylaxis[Ref]
Renal
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal insufficiency[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Very common (10% or more): Back pain (15%)[Ref]
Immunologic
- Very common (10% or more): Bacterial, fungal. and viral infections[Ref]
Local
- Common (1% to 10%): Infusion related reaction[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Confusion[Ref]
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References
1. (2019) "Product Information. Irinotecan Hydrochloride (irinotecan)." Areva Pharmaceuticals
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Camptosar side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.