Onivyde (Irinotecan Hydrochloride Trihydrate (Nanoliposomal Formulation))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Onivyde Used For?
Onivyde is a specialized cancer treatment that contains the active ingredient irinotecan wrapped in tiny fatty particles called nanoliposomes. This unique formulation helps the medicine stay in your body longer and target cancer cells more effectively.
Primary Uses
Onivyde is used to treat pancreatic cancer. For patients whose pancreatic cancer has not been previously treated, it’s given with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. For patients previously treated with gemcitabine, it’s combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin.
How It Works
Onivyde blocks an enzyme called topoisomerase I, which cancer cells need to divide and multiply. When this enzyme is blocked, the DNA in cancer cells breaks apart, preventing them from growing and eventually causing them to die. The nanoliposome coating helps the medicine accumulate in tumors and work for a longer time.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Onivyde is addictive.
How to Take Onivyde
Onivyde must only be given by healthcare professionals who are specially trained in administering cancer medicines. Treatment normally takes place in a hospital setting.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine your exact dose based on your condition, body weight, and other factors. Onivyde is given as an IV infusion (drip) over 90 minutes, followed by other cancer medicines. Treatment is typically repeated every two weeks. You may receive medicines before treatment to prevent nausea and vomiting.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Since Onivyde is given by healthcare professionals in a hospital setting, missing doses is unlikely. However, additional treatments may be delayed until your blood cell counts return to acceptable levels and any side effects are controlled.
Important: Several courses of Onivyde therapy may be needed depending on your response to treatment. Never attempt to self-administer this medication.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Increased risk of severe infections
- Anemia (may cause weakness and light-headedness)
- Diarrhea (loose or watery and frequent stools)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Reduction in white blood cell numbers
- Low platelets in blood
- Dehydration
- Headache
- Tiredness and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Hand foot syndrome (redness, swelling, pain on palms/soles)
- Hair loss
- Muscle weakness and pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Swelling under the skin (angioedema) and severe allergic reactions
- Fever, chills and signs of infection requiring immediate treatment
- Severe persistent diarrhea
- Sudden shortness of breath, flushing, headache, chest tightness during infusion
- Blood clots
- Sudden kidney problems
Important Warnings
Before starting Onivyde treatment, it’s crucial to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor to ensure this medication is safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Onivyde
Do not use Onivyde if you are allergic to irinotecan or any of the ingredients listed in the medication guide. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine safely.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver, kidney, lung or heart disease; have been treated with radiation therapy; have difficulty urinating; plan to have vaccinations; have chronic inflammatory bowel disease; or have a bowel obstruction.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Onivyde is not recommended during pregnancy. Use effective birth control during treatment and for 7 months after stopping (males should use condoms during treatment and for 4 months after). Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine as it may pass into breast milk and affect your baby.
Blood Cell Monitoring: This medicine can lower your white blood cell and platelet counts, increasing your risk of infections and bleeding. Regular blood tests are essential.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can affect how Onivyde works in your body. Always tell your healthcare team about all medicines you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Grapefruit juice may increase the effects of Onivyde and should be avoided.
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole (antifungal medicines)
- Clarithromycin (antibiotic)
- HIV medicines (indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, atazanavir)
- Telaprevir (hepatitis C medicine)
- Nefazodone (depression medicine)
- Gemfibrozil (cholesterol medicine)
- Phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine (seizure medicines)
- Rifampicin, rifabutin (tuberculosis medicines)
- St. John’s wort (herbal depression remedy)
- Laxatives (may increase diarrhea risk)
- Blood pressure medicines (may increase dehydration risk)
Alcohol & Driving
Onivyde can affect your ability to perform certain activities safely. Take precautions while receiving treatment.
Alcohol
The source material does not specifically mention alcohol interactions, but given that this is a cancer treatment that can cause various side effects, discuss alcohol consumption with your healthcare team.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Onivyde has moderate influence on your ability to drive and use machines. During treatment, you should be cautious when driving or using machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Storage
Onivyde is stored by healthcare professionals in a refrigerator at 2-8°C, protected from light. It must not be frozen. Since treatment takes place in a hospital setting, you won’t need to store this medication at home.
Overdose Information
Since Onivyde is administered by trained healthcare professionals in a hospital setting, overdose is unlikely. However, if you experience any severe or unusual symptoms during or after treatment, notify your healthcare team immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Onivyde works by killing cancer cells over time. Several courses of therapy may be needed depending on your response to treatment. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular blood tests and medical examinations.
Since Onivyde is given as an IV infusion in a hospital setting, food timing is not a concern for the medication itself. However, you may receive anti-nausea medications before treatment to help prevent vomiting.
No, there is no evidence that Onivyde is addictive.
Diarrhea is a common side effect. Your doctor will prescribe loperamide for you to take when you first have loose stools. Start taking it immediately and contact your doctor if diarrhea isn’t controlled within 24 hours. Don’t take loperamide for more than 48 hours.
Onivyde treatment is typically repeated every two weeks. The exact schedule depends on your condition, how you respond to treatment, and your blood test results.
Onivyde can lower your white blood cell count, increasing infection risk. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, chills, sore throat, or mouth ulcers. You may need antibiotics or emergency treatment.
Some vaccinations may not be given during chemotherapy. Discuss any planned vaccinations with your doctor before receiving them.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.