Camptosar

Camptosar also goes by the name of Irinotecan and the other names are Camptothecin-11 and CPT-11. This is an anti-cancer or cytotoxic drug and is classified under the plant alkaloid and topoisomerase I inhibitor.

What is the use of this drug?

This drug is used to treat cancer of the colon or the metastatic colon cancer. The patient is treated with this drug intravenously or vie IV. This medication does not come in any other form.

As an irritant irinotecan is a chemical which causes inflammation of the veins. You need to note that incase the medication escapes it can cause damage to the tissues. In case of pain or swelling or if you notice any reddishness on the site of IV you need to inform your doctor immediately. Irinotecan should be administered in the presence of an experienced medical professional. The amount that should be administered depends upon a few body factors like age, weight, height, present body condition and the stage of cancer.

What are the side effects?

As such there are no side effects but like all cancer drugs this too has shown to have certain side effects that are common to all cancer treatments. These side effects are seen at the onset of the treatment and remains till the completion of the treatment cycle. Most of these side effects are reversible and can be minimized though there are certain side effects which are permanent. It has been seen higher the dosage more severe the side effects.

Some of the most common side effects are early diarrhea which occurs within 24 hours after receiving the treatment this is accompanied with other symptoms like runny nose, an increase in the production of saliva, sweating, abdominal cramps, watery eyes, flushing, nausea, vomiting, there is an decrease in the white blood count as well as red blood cells which leads to anemia this leads to increase in infection.

You need to contact your doctor immediately in case there is a sudden rise in temperature, passing of blood in urine or stool, fainting, persisting vomiting in spite of taking anti-nauseated medications, complains of extreme fatigue, painful mouth sores etc.

You need to inform your doctor about the medications you are currently on even those herbal supplements, avoid getting vaccinated or immunized, inform your doctor about any impending pregnancy, avoid breast feeding, getting pregnant, use of laxatives.

Self-help tips - Apply ice cubes to relieve pain and redness on the infusion area, increase the intake of fluids, and eat foods that will help reduce your problem of diarrhea. Avoid crowded area to prevent infection; sucking chewing gums or lozenges also helps reduce nausea feeling. Use of soft bristle toothbrush prevents mouth sores and rinsing your mouth with baking soda added to water or salt also benefits.

Avoid alcohol; follow a strict regime of having a well-balanced nutritional diet. Getting your blood tests done regularly helps monitor the proper functioning of the internal organs.

Camptothecin-11 destroys the cancerous cells and prevents the further division of these cells, they also induce the self-destruction of these cancerous cells, this mode of cancer treatment is cell specific and destroys only those affected cancerous cells.