Irinotecan 1.5 mg/ml solution for infusion

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

1. What Irinotecan is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you are given Irinotecan
3. How Irinotecan will be given
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Irinotecan
6. Contents of the pack and other information

• you have chronic inflammatory bowel disease and/or bowel obstruction
• you are allergic to irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• you are breastfeeding (see section 2)
• you have increased levels of bilirubin in the blood (more than 3 times the upper limit of the normal range)
• you have severe bone marrow failure
• your general health does not allow you to carry out normal activities of daily living (WHO performance status higher than 2)
• you are taking or have recently taken St John's Wort (a herbal extract containing Hypericum)
• you are to take or have recently taken live attenuated vaccines (vaccines against yellow fever, chicken pox, shingles, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis, rotavirus, influenza) and during the 6 months after stopping chemotherapy.

If you receive Irinotecan in combination with other medicines, please make sure that you also read the package leaflet of the other medicines regarding additional contraindications.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Irinotecan

• if you have Gilbert’s syndrome, an inherited condition that can cause elevated bilirubin levels and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).

As Irinotecan is an anti-cancer medicine it will be given to you in a special unit and under supervision of a doctor qualified in the use of anti-cancer medicines. The units’ staff will explain to you what special care you need to take during and after the treatment. This leaflet may help you to remember that.

This medicine is intended for adults only. Check with your doctor if this medicine has been prescribed for use in a child.

Special care is needed in elderly patients.

Diarrhoea

Irinotecan can cause diarrhoea, which in some cases may be severe. This may start a few hours or a couple of days after the medicine infusion. If left untreated, it could lead to dehydration and serious chemical imbalances, which can be life threatening. Your doctor will prescribe medicine to help prevent or control this side effect. Make sure you get the medicine right away, so that you will have it at home when you need it.

• take the medicine as prescribed at the first sign of loose or frequent bowel movements
• drink large amounts of water and (or) salty drinks (fizzy water, soda or soup)
• call your doctor or nurse to know if you still have diarrhoea, especially if it lasts more than 24 hours, or if you get lightheaded, dizzy, or faint.

Neutropenia (decrease in some white blood cells)

This medicine can lower your white blood cell count, mainly in the weeks after the medicine is given. This can increase the risk of getting an infection. Be sure to let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have any signs of infection, such as fever (38°C or higher), chills, pain when passing urine, a new cough, or bringing up sputum. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Blood monitoring

Your doctor will likely test your blood before and during your treatment, to check for effects of the medicine on blood counts or on blood chemistry. Based on the test results, you may need medicines to help treat the effects. Your doctor may also need to reduce or delay your next dose of this medicine, or even stop it altogether. Keep all your appointments for doctor visits and lab tests.

This medicine may lower your platelet count in the weeks after it is given, which can increase your risk of bleeding. Speak with your doctor before taking any medicine or supplement that might affect your body’s ability to stop bleeding, such as aspirin or aspirin-containing medicines, warfarin, or vitamin E. Tell your doctor right away if you have unusual bruising, or bleeding such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, or black, tarry stools.

Nausea and vomiting

You may have nausea and vomiting on the day you receive this medicine or in the first few days after. Your doctor may give you medicine before your treatment to help prevent nausea and vomiting. Your doctor will likely prescribe anti-nausea medicines that you can take at home. Have these medicines on hand for when you need them. Call your doctor if you are unable to take fluids by mouth due to nausea and vomiting.

Acute cholinergic syndrome

This medicine may affect part of your nervous system that controls body secretions, leading to what is known as cholinergic syndrome. Symptoms can include runny nose, increased saliva, excess tears in the eyes, sweating, flushing, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea. Let your doctor or nurse know right away if you notice any of these symptoms, as there are medicines that can help control them.

Lung disorders

Rarely, people on this medicine have serious lung problems, Tell your doctor right away if you have new or worsening cough, trouble breathing, and fever. Your doctor may need to stop your treatment to manage this problem.

This medicine may increase your risk of major blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs, which can travel to other parts of the body such as the lungs or brain. Tell your doctor right away if you notice chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling, pain, redness, or warmth in an arm or leg.

Chronic intestinal inflammation and/or intestinal blockage

Call your doctor if you have pain in your belly and you cannot move your bowels, especially if you also have bloating and loss of appetite.

Irradiation therapy

If you recently received treatment with pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy, you may be at increased risk of developing bone marrow suppression. Please talk to your doctor before starting with Irinotecan.

Kidney function

Occurrences of kidney dysfunction have been reported.

Cardiac disorders

Inform your doctor if you suffer/suffered from heart disease or if you previously received anti-cancer medicines. Your doctor will monitor you closely and discuss with you how risk factors (for example smoking, high blood pressure and to high fat content) can be reduced.

Vascular disorders

Irinotecan is rarely associated with blood flow disorders (blood clots in the vessels of your legs and lungs) and it may occur rarely in patients with multiple risks factors.

Others

This medicine may cause sores in the mouth or on the lips, often within the first few weeks after starting treatment. This can cause mouth pain, bleeding, or even trouble eating. Your doctor or nurse can suggest ways to reduce this, such as changing the way you eat or how you brush your teeth. If needed, your doctor can prescribe medicine to help with the pain.

For contraception and breast-feeding information, refer to the information provided below under section Contraception, pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you are on this medicine if you are planning to have surgery or any procedure.

If used in combination with other anticancer medicines for your condition please make sure that you also read the leaflets for the other medicine.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Irinotecan can interact with a number of medicines and supplements, which may either raise or lower the level of the medicine in your blood.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines

• medicines used to treat seizure (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and fosphenytoin)
• medicines used to treat fungal infection (ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole)
• medicines used to treat bacterial infection (clarithromycine, erythromycin and telithromycine)
• medicines used to treat tuberculosis (rifampicin and rifabutin)
• St John’s Wort (a herbal dietary supplement)
• live attenuated vaccines
• medicines used to treat HIV (indinavir, ritonavir, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, nelfinavir, atazanavir, and others)
• medicines used to suppress your body’s immune system to prevent transplant rejection (ciclosporin or tacrolimus)
• medicines used to treat cancer (regorafenib, crizotinib, idelalisib and apalutamide)
• vitamin K antagonists (an anticoagulant used to thin the blood such as warfarin)
• medicines used to relax muscles used during general anaesthesia and surgery (suxamethonium)
• 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid
• bevacizumab (a blood vessel growth inhibitor)
• cetuximab (an EGF receptor inhibitor).

Tell your doctor pharmacist or nurse before being given Irinotecan if you are already having, or have recently had chemotherapy (and radiotherapy).

Don't start or stop taking any medicines while you are on Irinotecan without talking with your doctor first.

This medicine can cause serious diarrhoea. Try to avoid laxatives and stool softeners while taking this medicine.

There may be more medicines that interact with Irinotecan. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about your other medicines, herbs, and supplements, and whether alcohol can cause problems with this medicine.

Contraception

If you are a woman of childbearing potential, then you have to use effective contraception during and up to 6 months after stopping treatment.

As a man, you have to use effective contraception during and up to 3 months after stopping treatment. It is important to check with your doctor about what kinds of birth control can be used with this medicine.

Pregnancy

This medicine may cause problems with the foetus if taken at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Before initiating treatment, your doctor will ensure that you are not pregnant.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Irinotecan and its metabolite were measured in human milk. Breast-feeding should be discontinued for the duration of your treatment with this medicine.

If you are breast-feeding ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Fertility

No studies have been done, nevertheless, this medicine may affect fertility. Talk with your doctor about the possible risk with this medicine and the options that may preserve your ability to have children.

In some cases Irinotecan may cause side effects which affect the ability to drive and use tools and machines. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

During the first 24 hours after administration of Irinotecan you may feel dizzy or have visual disturbances. If this happens to you, do not drive or operate machinery until this resolves.

This medicine contains a sugar (sorbitol).

This medicine contains 607.50 mg sorbitol in each 180 ml infusion bag which is equivalent to 3.375 mg/ml.

This medicine contains 675.00 mg sorbitol in each 200 ml infusion bag which is equivalent to 3.375 mg/ml.

This medicine contains 742.50 mg sorbitol in each 220 ml infusion bag which is equivalent to 3.375 mg/ml.

This medicine contains 810.00 mg sorbitol in each 240 ml infusion bag which is equivalent to 3.375 mg/ml.

Sorbitol is a source of fructose. If you have hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI), a rare genetic disorder, you must not receive this medicine. Patients with HFI cannot break down fructose, which may cause serious side effects.

You must tell your doctor before receiving this medicine if you have HFI.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially 'sodium free'.

This medicine contains 8.325 g glucose in each 180 ml infusion bag.

This medicine contains 9.250 g glucose in each 200 ml infusion bag.

This medicine contains 10.175 g glucose in each 220 ml infusion bag.

This medicine contains 11.100 g glucose in each 240 ml infusion bag.

This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus.

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Irinotecan will be given as an infusion (drip) into your veins over a period of 30 to 90 minutes.

You may be given other medications to prevent nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and other side effects while you are receiving Irinotecan. You may need to keep using these medicines for at least a day after your Irinotecan infusion.

Tell your care givers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Irinotecan is administered. If the medicine escapes from the vein it can cause tissue damage. If you experience pain or notice redness or swelling at the IV site while you are receiving Irinotecan, alert your healthcare professional immediately.

The dose will depend on a number of factors, including the treatment schedule, your body size, your age and general health, your blood counts, how well your liver is working, whether you have had radiation to your abdomen/pelvis, and whether you have any side effects such as diarrhoea. Your doctor will calculate your body surface area in square meters (m²).

• if you have previously been treated with 5-fluorouracil you will normally be treated with Irinotecan alone starting with a dose of 350 mg/m² every three weeks
• if you have not had previous chemotherapy you will normally receive 180 mg/m² Irinotecan every two weeks. This will be followed by folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil.

If you receive Irinotecan in combination with cetuximab, Irinotecan must not be administered earlier than 1 hour after the end of the cetuximab infusion.

Only your doctor may assess the duration of treatment.

The number of infusions that you receive will depend on how you are responding to treatment. Your doctor will discuss this with you.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think that you have been given too much Irinotecan. An overdose worsens side effects like diarrhoea or neutropenia (a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood). Should this happen, you will receive treatment to prevent dehydration. Your blood cell count will be monitored and any infections treated accordingly.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Irinotecan infusion.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

• The active substance is irinotecan (as hydrochloride trihydrate).
• The other ingredients are: glucose (E620), sorbitol (E420), (S)-lactic acid (E270), sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) (E524), hydrochloric acid, concentrated (for pH adjustment) (E507) and water.

One 180 ml infusion bag contains 270 mg irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate (corresponding to 234 mg irinotecan).

One 200 ml infusion bag contains 300 mg irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate (corresponding to 260 mg irinotecan).

One 220 ml infusion bag contains 330 mg irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate (corresponding to 286 mg irinotecan).

One 240 ml infusion bag contains 360 mg irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate (corresponding to 312 mg irinotecan).

One ml of the solution for infusion contains 1.5 mg irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate (corresponding to 1.3 mg/ml irinotecan).

Irinotecan solution for infusion is a clear, pale yellow to yellow, sterile solution free from visible particulate matter.

Irinotecan solution for infusion is supplied in carton boxes each containing 1, 5 or 10 single dose infusion bags of 180 ml, 200 ml, 220 ml or 240 ml.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.