Topotecan (Oral)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 26, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Hycamtin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Topoisomerase I Inhibitor

Uses for topotecan

Topotecan is used to treat small cell lung cancer that has relapsed or gotten worse. It belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics or cancer medicines.

Topotecan interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by the medicine, other unwanted effects may occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Some effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some unwanted effects may occur after treatment with topotecan has stopped.

Topotecan is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using topotecan

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topotecan, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to topotecan or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of topotecan in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of topotecan in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have diarrhea and age-related kidney problems, which may require caution for patients receiving topotecan.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking topotecan, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using topotecan with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

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