Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell
your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Topotecan can lower the 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. To be
sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do
not miss any scheduled appointments.
Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact
your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with 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 is 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 other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using topotecan?
You should not use topotecan if you have:
Before using topotecan, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do
not use topotecan without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of 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. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I use topotecan?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger 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 contact does occur, wash the area with soap and water, or rinse the eyes for at least 15
minutes with plain water. If you must handle a broken capsule, ask your doctor or pharmacist
how to safely dispose of it.
Store topotecan capsules at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.
Topotecan injection is given through a needle placed into a vein. You
will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly
through an IV infusion, and 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 the 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. To be
sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do
not miss any scheduled appointments.
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