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 Canadian
Medical Association Journal
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Irinotecan HCL injection (Camptosar) (June 27, 2001) Irinotecan is used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in managing metastatic colon cancer. Two ongoing clinical trials of this agent have been stopped because the death rate from all causes in the group of patients receiving irinotecan HCL was substantially higher than in the group of patients receiving other drugs. Irinotecan HCL can induce severe myelosuppression and both early and late forms of diarrhea that may prove life threatening. Ileus, complicated colitis and renal failure have also been observed. Physicians should alert patients to these adverse events and report any adverse event to Health Canada. CMAJ
Copyright 2001 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors |
