Hycamtin

Generic Name: topotecan (TOE poe TEE kan)

Brand Names: Hycamtin

What is Hycamtin (topotecan)?

Topotecan is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Topotecan is used to treat ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, and certain types of cervical cancer.

Topotecan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Hycamtin (topotecan)?

Do not use topotecan if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Topotecan can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using topotecan, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Call your doctor at once if you have fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, severe diarrhea with fever or stomach pain, unusual weakness, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, or other signs of infection.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Hycamtin (topotecan)?

You should not use topotecan if you have:

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  severe bone marrow depression; or

  
  


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  if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

  
  

To make sure you can safely use topotecan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  kidney disease;

  
  


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  lung disease or lung cancer; or

  
  


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  if you have had a chest x-ray or radiation treatment of your chest area.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use topotecan if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether topotecan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using topotecan.

How should I use Hycamtin (topotecan)?

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Topotecan is usually given once daily for 5 days in a row. This treatment is then repeated every 21 days, usually for at least 4 treatments. It may take several weeks for your body to respond to the medication.

Topotecan capsules are taken by mouth. You may need to take two different colored capsules at one time. Make sure you know the difference between capsules because one contains 4 times as much topotecan as the other, even though they may look the same in size.

Take the topotecan capsule with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. You may take the medicine with or without food.

If you vomit after taking a topotecan capsule, do not take another dose that same day. Call your doctor for instructions.

Do not crush or break a topotecan capsule, or use a capsule that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a broken capsule can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes or on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse the eyes for at least 15 minutes with plain water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken tablet or capsule. Store topotecan capsules in the refrigerator and protect them from light.

Topotecan injection is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Topotecan must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Tell your doctor right away if any of this medicine gets on your skin during the injection. If this does happen, the exposed skin should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Topotecan can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss any of your topotecan doses.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose can cause bone marrow depression (fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores or white patches in your mouth, or other signs of infection).

What should I avoid while using Hycamtin (topotecan)?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using topotecan, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine. Topotecan may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Hycamtin (topotecan) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  wheezing, feeling short of breath, chest pain, dry cough;

  
  


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  fever, chills, flu symptoms, mouth and throat ulcers, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting;

  
  


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  pale skin, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

  
  


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  easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

  
  


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  diarrhea with fever and stomach cramps;

  
  


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  pain or burning when you urinate; or

  
  


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  skin changes or severe irritation where the needle is placed.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  nausea, diarrhea, vomiting;

  
  


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  tired feeling; or

  
  


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  temporary hair loss.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Hycamtin (topotecan)?

Tell your doctor about all other cancer medicines you use, especially:

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  filgrastim (Neupogen), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), or sargramostim (Leukine); or

  
  


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  cisplatin (Platinol), carboplatin (Paraplatin), or oxaliplatin (Eloxatin).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with topotecan. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Hycamtin resources

• Hycamtin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Hycamtin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Hycamtin Drug Interactions
• Hycamtin Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Hycamtin - Add your own review/rating

• Hycamtin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Hycamtin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Hycamtin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Hycamtin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Topotecan Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Hycamtin with other medications

• Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Small Cell Lung Cancer

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about topotecan.

See also: Hycamtin side effects (in more detail)