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Molecule

Irinotecan

Also known as irinotecan hydrochloride
Available on requestOrphanCold chainOncology
Presentations
8
Brands
2
Manufacturers
2
Available from stock
0

Irinotecan is a topoisomerase inhibitor indicated as a component of first-line therapy in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) for patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, among other approved uses. MedsAcross supplies Irinotecan for export from India to licensed hospitals, importers and physicians acting for named patients, with the documents each country requires.

Information from the US FDA prescribing information, retrieved 12 November 2026. Not yet medically reviewed.How we review

Key facts

Pharmacological class
Topoisomerase Inhibitor, Topoisomerase Inhibitors
ATC classification
L01CE02 Irinotecan · Cancer medicines (antineoplastics), subgroup L01C, subgroup L01CEL01XX19 Irinotecan · Cancer medicines (antineoplastics), subgroup L01X, subgroup L01XX
US FDA first approval
14 June 1996
EU status
Authorised
Orphan designation
Yes
WHO essential medicine
Not recorded
India (CDSCO)
Not yet confirmed against CDSCO approval lists
Routes
Intravenous
Dosage forms
Injection, Powder for injection
Identifiers
UNII 7673326042RxCUI 51499CAS 97682-44-5DrugBank DB00762Q412197

Clinical information

From the regulator-approved product information. Each section names its source.

Uses

• CAMPTOSAR is indicated as a component of first-line therapy in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) for patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum. • CAMPTOSAR is indicated for patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum whose disease has recurred or progressed following initial fluorouracil-based therapy. CAMPTOSAR is a topoisomerase inhibitor indicated for: • First-line therapy in combination with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum. • Patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum whose disease has recurred or progressed following initial fluorouracil-based therapy.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

How it works

Irinotecan is a derivative of camptothecin. Camptothecins interact specifically with the enzyme topoisomerase I, which relieves torsional strain in DNA by inducing reversible single-strand breaks. Irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38 bind to the topoisomerase I-DNA complex and prevent religation of these single-strand breaks. Current research suggests that the cytotoxicity of irinotecan is due to double-strand DNA damage produced during DNA synthesis when replication enzymes interact with the ternary complex formed by topoisomerase I, DNA, and either irinotecan or SN-38. Mammalian cells cannot efficiently repair these double-strand breaks.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Dosing overview

• Colorectal cancer combination regimen 1: CAMPTOSAR 125 mg/m 2 intravenous infusion over 90 minutes on days 1, 8,15, 22 with LV 20 mg/m 2 intravenous bolus infusion on days 1, 8, 15, 22 followed by 5-FU intravenous bolus infusion on days 1, 8, 15, 22 every 6 weeks. • Colorectal cancer combination regimen 2: CAMPTOSAR 180 mg/m 2 intravenous infusion over 90 minutes on days 1, 15, 29 with LV 200 mg/m 2 intravenous infusion over 2 hours on days 1, 2, 15, 16, 29, 30 followed by 5-FU 400 mg/m 2 intravenous bolus infusion on days 1, 2, 15, 16, 29, 30 and 5-FU 600 mg/m 2 intravenous infusion over 22 hours on days 1, 2, 15, 16, 29, 30. • Colorectal cancer single agent regimen 1: CAMPTOSAR 125 mg/m 2 intravenous infusion over 90 minutes on days 1, 8, 15, 22 then 2-week rest.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Contraindications

• CAMPTOSAR Injection is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug or its excipients. • Hypersensitivity to CAMPTOSAR or its excipients

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Warnings and precautions

Boxed warning (diarrhea and myelosuppression •): Early and late forms of diarrhea can occur. Early diarrhea may be accompanied by cholinergic symptoms which may be prevented or ameliorated by atropine. Late diarrhea can be life threatening and should be treated promptly with loperamide. Monitor patients with diarrhea and give fluid and electrolytes as needed. Institute antibiotic therapy if patients develop ileus, fever, or severe neutropenia. • Diarrhea and Cholinergic Reactions: Early diarrhea (occurring during or shortly after infusion of CAMPTOSAR) is usually transient and may be accompanied by cholinergic symptoms. Consider prophylactic or therapeutic administration of 0.25 mg to 1 mg of intravenous or subcutaneous atropine (unless clinically contraindicated). Late diarrhea (generally occurring more than 24 hours after administration of CAMPTOSAR) can occur.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Side effects

Common adverse reactions (≥30%) observed in combination therapy clinical studies are: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, mucositis, neutropenia, leukopenia (including lymphocytopenia), anemia, thrombocytopenia, asthenia, pain, fever, infection, abnormal bilirubin, alopecia. Common adverse reactions (≥30%) observed in single agent therapy clinical studies are: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, neutropenia, leukopenia (including lymphocytopenia), anemia, asthenia, fever, body weight decreasing, alopecia.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Interactions

• Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Do not administer strong CYP3A4 inducers with CAMPTOSAR. • Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Do not administer strong CYP3A4 inhibitors with CAMPTOSAR. 7.1 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Leucovorin (LV) In a phase 1 clinical study involving irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and leucovorin (LV) in 26 patients with solid tumors, the disposition of irinotecan was not substantially altered when the drugs were co-administered. Although the C max and AUC 0–24 of SN-38, the active metabolite, were reduced (by 14% and 8%, respectively) when irinotecan was followed by 5-FU and LV administration compared with when irinotecan was given alone, this sequence of administration was used in the combination trials and is recommended. Formal in vivo or in vitro drug interaction studies to evaluate the influence of irinotecan on the disposition of 5-FU and LV have not been conducted.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

For healthcare professionals and buyers. This is not medical advice. Treatment decisions belong to the prescriber.

All presentations

8 presentations of Irinotecan, sorted by availability.

MedicineManufacturerRegisterAvailability
Irinotecan 100 mg/5 mL injectionIntravenousGeneric name—US FDAAvailable on request
Irinotecan 40 mg/2 mL injectionIntravenousGeneric name—US FDAAvailable on request
Irinotecan 300 mg/15 mL injectionIntravenousGeneric name—US FDAAvailable on request
Irinotecan 500 mg/25 mL injectionIntravenousGeneric name—US FDAAvailable on request
Camptosar 300 mg/15 mL injectionIntravenousPharmacia & UpjohnUS FDAAvailable on request
Camptosar 100 mg/5 mL injectionIntravenousPharmacia & UpjohnUS FDAAvailable on request
Camptosar 40 mg/2 mL injectionIntravenousPharmacia & UpjohnUS FDAAvailable on request
Onivyde 4.3 mg/mL powder for injectionIntravenous Cold chainIpsen BiopharmaceuticalsUS FDAAvailable on request

Brands by market

2 brand names across 1 markets.

Brand names by country

United States

Manufacturers

Regulatory status

Approval facts from US FDA, EMA and CDSCO data, and registration status by country where we hold register data.

RegisterStatusSource
US FDAFirst approved 14 June 1996Drugs@FDA
EU (EMA)AuthorisedEMA medicines data
India (CDSCO)Not yet confirmed against CDSCO approval lists—
AustriaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
BelgiumRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
BulgariaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CroatiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CyprusRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CzechiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
DenmarkRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
EstoniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
FinlandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
FranceRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
GermanyRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
GreeceRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
HungaryRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
IcelandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
IrelandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
ItalyRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LatviaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LiechtensteinRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LithuaniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LuxembourgRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
MaltaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
NetherlandsRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
NorwayRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
PolandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
PortugalRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
RomaniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SlovakiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SloveniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SpainRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SwedenRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
United StatesRegisteredUS FDA (NDC directory, openFDA)Checked 12 November 2026

Conditions

Conditions linked to Irinotecan in public data. This is not a list of approved uses, see the clinical information.

Questions and answers

Is Irinotecan available for export from India?

Yes, on request. MedsAcross lists 8 presentations of Irinotecan and sources them for licensed hospitals, importers and physicians against valid import documents.

What brand names does Irinotecan have?

The catalogue lists 2 brand names for Irinotecan, including Camptosar, Onivyde.

Is Irinotecan approved by the US FDA?

Yes. The US FDA first approved Irinotecan on 14 June 1996, according to Drugs@FDA.

Is Irinotecan authorised in the European Union?

Yes. Irinotecan has a central EU marketing authorisation (status: authorised), according to European Medicines Agency data.

Does Irinotecan need cold chain shipping?

At least one listed presentation of Irinotecan must be kept cold, so it is shipped in temperature-controlled packaging. Check the storage line on each presentation.

Which ATC class is Irinotecan in?

Irinotecan is classified under ATC code L01CE02 (Irinotecan).

References

  1. Camptosar prescribing information (Pharmacia & Upjohn). U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Retrieved 12 May 2026
  2. Onivyde pegylated liposomal (previously Onivyde): European public assessment report (EPAR). European Medicines Agency. Retrieved 29 November 2024

Request Irinotecan for export supply

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