What are the side effects of topotecan?


The major side effects of topotecan are:

  1. Myelosuppression
  2. Diarrhea
  3. Low blood counts
  4. Susceptibility to infection

Topotecan hydrochloride (trade name Hycamtin) is a chemotherapy agent that is a topoisomerase I inhibitor.

 It is often used in the treatment of ovarian and lung cancers, as well as other cancer types.

Topotecan intercalates between DNA. This intercalation disrupts the DNA duplication machinery when it finds a site in the DNA where topotecan is intercalated. This disruption prevents DNA replication, and ultimately leads to cell death.

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