ONIVYDE ratings & reviews

Onivyde contains the active ingredient irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate, which is a topoisomerase inhibitor. It is formulated as a liposomal dispersion for intravenous use, with each vial containing a concentration of 4.3 mg/mL irinotecan free base. The dispersion includes key inactive ingredients like 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, cholesterol, and methoxy-terminated polyethylene glycol. Onivyde is intended to treat cancer by slowing the growth of cancer cells.

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
• Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Diarrhea
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Pain, redness, or swelling with sores inside the mouth or throat
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Blockage in your bowels
• Dehydration
• Infection
• Low white blood cell levels
• Lung disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to irinotecan liposome, irinotecan, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Itraconazole

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Certain antivirals for HIV or AIDS
• Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, phenytoin, phenobarbital
• Clarithromycin
• Gemfibrozil
• Nefazodone
• Rifabutin
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• St. John's Wort
• Voriconazole

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.

You may need blood work while you are taking this medication.

This medication can cause serious side effects and allergic reactions. To reduce your risk, your care team may give you other medications to take before receiving this one. Be sure to follow the directions from your care team.

Check with your care team if you get an attack of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid can make it dangerous for you to take this medication.

This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or if you get pregnant within 7 months after stopping therapy. A negative pregnancy test is required before starting this medication. A reliable form of contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 7 months after stopping it. Talk to your care team about reliable forms of contraception.

Use a condom during sex and for 4 months after stopping therapy. Tell your care team right away if you think your partner might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medication and for 1 month after stopping therapy.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.

Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medication can decrease white blood cell levels in your body. White blood cells help protect your body from infection. Your care team will check your blood cell levels while you are taking this medication. Talk to your care team right away if you have symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or general feeling of discomfort or being unwell.

Contact your healthcare provider for: diarrhea for the first time with this medicine; black or bloody stools; feel dehydrated; feel lightheaded or dizzy; can’t drink because of nausea or vomiting; or not able to control diarrhea for 24 hours. You should get medicine to control diarrhea. Take it exactly as instructed.