Topotecan : Before Using

Topotecan - Systemic

Brand Names

Hycamtin Topotecan *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the problems of uses this drugs must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For topotecan, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to topotecan. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances.

Pregnancy care

Tell your family doctor if you are pregnant. Studies in rats and rabbits have shown that topotecan causes birth defects and deaths of the fetus, as well as problems in the mother.

Be sure that you have discussed this with your family doctor before starting treat with this drug. It is best to use birth control while you are receiving topotecan. Always tell your family doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant during treat.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether topotecan passes into breast milk. However, because this drug may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.

Use for Children

Topotecan has been studied in a limited number of children. One study showed that seriously low blood counts may be more likely to occur in child than in adults.

Elderly care

This drug has been tested in elderly diseaseds and has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems in older people than it does in adults people.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking topotecan, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Amphotericin B by injection - Fungizone
Antithyroid agents - drug for overactive thyroid
Azathioprine - Imuran
Chloramphenicol - Chloromycetin
Colchicine
Flucytosine - Ancobon
Ganciclovir - Cytovene
Interferon - Intron A, Roferon-A
Plicamycin - Mithracin
Zidovudine - AZT, Retrovir
If you have ever been treated with radiation or other cancer medication The risk of seriously low blood counts may be increased

Azathioprine - Imuran
Chlorambucil - Leukeran
Corticosteroids - cortisone-like drug
Cyclosporine - Sandimmune
Mercaptopurine - Purinethol
Muromonab-CD3 - monoclonal antibody - Orthoclone OKT3 or
Tacrolimus - Prograf There may be an increased risk of infection because topotecan decreases your body's ability to fight it

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of topotecan. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Chickenpox - including recent exposure
Herpes zoster - shingles Topotecan may cause these conditions to get worse and spread to other parts of your body

Infection Topotecan may decrease your body's ability to fight an infection

Kidney disease Higher blood levels of topotecan can occur, which increases the risk of serious side effects