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Irinotecan vs. Onivyde

Irinotecan (Camptosar) is a chemotherapy medication used to treat colon cancer. It’s also often used off-label for many other cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Irinotecan (Camptosar) works as a topoisomerase inhibitor to stop the cancer from growing. It’s given as an infusion through the vein at a medical center. It’s usually given along with other cancer therapies but can also be used by itself. Irinotecan (Camptosar) commonly causes diarrhea as a side effect. It can also lower your blood cell counts and put you at higher risk of infections. This medication is available as generic and brand-name versions.

• Metastatic colon cancer
  • As first-choice therapy, together with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin injection
  • As a next-choice option when 5-fluorouracil-based therapy no longer works

• Low blood cell counts (up to 97%)
• Late diarrhea (more than 24 hours after the - infusion, 85%)
• Nausea (79%)
• Feeling very weak (70%)
• Stomach pain (63%)
• Vomiting (60%)
• Early diarrhea (within 24 hours of the infusion, 46%)
• Hair loss (43%)
• Fever (42%)
• Constipation (41%)
• Loss of appetite (34%)
• Mouth sores, inflammation, or pain (32%)
• General pain (31%)

• Severe diarrhea
• Low blood cell counts (myelosuppression)
• Higher risk of side effects in people with certain UGT1A1 genetic forms
• Kidney problems
• Lung problems
• Severe allergic reaction
• Harm to an unborn baby

Onivyde (liposomal irinotecan) is a chemotherapy medication used for treating pancreatic cancer in adults. It works as a topoisomerase inhibitor to damage cancer cells and stop the cancer from growing. Onivyde (liposomal irinotecan) is given as an infusion through the vein once every 2 weeks. The medication is given by a nurse at a medical center. It’s usually used together with other cancer treatments. Common side effects of Onivyde (liposomal irinotecan) together with other treatments include fatigue and diarrhea.

• Metastatic pancreatic cancer
  • As first-choice treatment, with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin injection
  • As next-choice treatment, with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin, after trying gemcitabine-based treatment

• Lower hemoglobin levels (91%)
• Diarrhea (72%)
• Lower white blood cell count (up to 64%)
• Lower potassium levels (62%)
• Feeling very tired (62%)
• Nausea (59%)
• Lower platelet count (55%)
• Higher liver enzyme levels (up to 45%)
• Vomiting (40%)
• Not feeling as hungry (37%)
• Stomach pain (35%)
• Mouth sores (28%)
• Constipation (25%)

• Severely low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
• Severe diarrhea
• Lung damage
• Severe allergic reaction
• Harm to an unborn baby