Prior to administration of the first course of topotecan hydrochloride, patients must have a baseline neutrophil count of >1,500 cells/mm3 and a platelet count of >100,000 cells/mm3.
2.1 Small Cell Lung Cancer
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dose of topotecan hydrochloride is 1.5 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes daily for 5 consecutive days, starting on day 1 of a 21-day course.
In the absence of tumor progression, a minimum of 4 courses is recommended because tumor response may be delayed. The median time to response in 4 small cell lung cancer trials was 5 to 7 weeks.
Dosage Modification Guidelines
In the event of severe neutropenia (defined as <500 cells/ mm3) during any course, reduce the dose by 0.25 mg/m2 (to 1.25 mg/m2) for subsequent courses.
Alternatively, in the event of severe neutropenia, administer G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) following the subsequent course (before resorting to dose reduction) starting from day 6 of the course (24 hours after completion of topotecan administration).
In the event the platelet count falls below 25,000 cells/mm3, reduce doses by 0.25 mg/m2 (to 1.25 mg/m2) for subsequent courses.
2.2 Cervical Cancer
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dose of topotecan hydrochloride is 0.75 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes daily on days 1, 2, and 3; followed by cisplatin 50 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion on day 1 repeated every 21 days (a 21-day course).
Dosage Modification Guidelines
Dosage adjustments for subsequent courses of topotecan hydrochloride in combination with cisplatin are specific for each drug. See manufacturer’s prescribing information for cisplatin administration and hydration guidelines and for cisplatin dosage adjustment in the event of hematologic toxicity.
In the event of severe febrile neutropenia (defined as <1,000 cells/mm3 with temperature of 38°C or 100.4°F), reduce the dose of topotecan hydrochloride to 0.6 mg/m2 for subsequent courses.
Alternatively, in the event of severe febrile neutropenia, administer G-CSF following the subsequent course (before resorting to dose reduction) starting from day 4 of the course (24 hours after completion of administration of topotecan hydrochloride).
If febrile neutropenia occurs despite the use of G-CSF, reduce the dose of topotecan hydrochloride to 0.45 mg/m2 for subsequent courses.
In the event the platelet count falls below 25,000 cells/mm3, reduce doses to 0.6 mg/m2 for subsequent courses.
2.3 Dosage Adjustment in Specific Populations
Renal Impairment
No dosage adjustment of topotecan hydrochloride appears to be required for patients with mild renal impairment (Clcr 40 to 60 mL/min). Dosage adjustment of topotecan hydrochloride to 0.75 mg/m2 is recommended for patients with moderate renal impairment (20 to 39 mL/min). Insufficient data are available in patients with severe renal impairment to provide a dosage recommendation for topotecan hydrochloride [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Topotecan hydrochloride in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of cervical cancer should only be initiated in patients with serum creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dL. In the clinical trial, cisplatin was discontinued for a serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL. Insufficient data are available regarding continuing monotherapy with topotecan hydrochloride after cisplatin discontinuation in patients with cervical cancer.
2.4 Instructions for Handling, Preparation and Intravenous Administration
Handling
Topotecan hydrochloride is a cytotoxic anticancer drug. Prepare topotecan hydrochloride under a vertical laminar flow hood while wearing gloves and protective clothing. If topotecan hydrochloride solution contacts the skin, wash the skin immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. If topotecan hydrochloride contacts mucous membranes, flush thoroughly with water.
Use procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer drugs. Several guidelines on this subject have been published.1-4
Preparation and Administration
Each 4 mg vial of topotecan hydrochloride is reconstituted with 4 mL Sterile Water for Injection. Then the appropriate volume of the reconstituted solution is diluted in either 0.9% Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion or 5% Dextrose Intravenous Infusion prior to administration.
Stability
Unopened vials of topotecan hydrochloride are stable until the date indicated on the package when stored between 20° and 25°C (68° and 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] and protected from light in the original package. Because the vials contain no preservative, contents should be used immediately after reconstitution.
Reconstituted vials of topotecan hydrochloride diluted for infusion are stable at approximately 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) and ambient lighting conditions for 24 hours.
2.1 Small Cell Lung Cancer
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dose of topotecan hydrochloride is 1.5 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes daily for 5 consecutive days, starting on day 1 of a 21-day course.
In the absence of tumor progression, a minimum of 4 courses is recommended because tumor response may be delayed. The median time to response in 4 small cell lung cancer trials was 5 to 7 weeks.
Dosage Modification Guidelines
In the event of severe neutropenia (defined as <500 cells/ mm3) during any course, reduce the dose by 0.25 mg/m2 (to 1.25 mg/m2) for subsequent courses.
Alternatively, in the event of severe neutropenia, administer G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) following the subsequent course (before resorting to dose reduction) starting from day 6 of the course (24 hours after completion of topotecan administration).
In the event the platelet count falls below 25,000 cells/mm3, reduce doses by 0.25 mg/m2 (to 1.25 mg/m2) for subsequent courses.
2.2 Cervical Cancer
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dose of topotecan hydrochloride is 0.75 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes daily on days 1, 2, and 3; followed by cisplatin 50 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion on day 1 repeated every 21 days (a 21-day course).
Dosage Modification Guidelines
Dosage adjustments for subsequent courses of topotecan hydrochloride in combination with cisplatin are specific for each drug. See manufacturer’s prescribing information for cisplatin administration and hydration guidelines and for cisplatin dosage adjustment in the event of hematologic toxicity.
In the event of severe febrile neutropenia (defined as <1,000 cells/mm3 with temperature of 38°C or 100.4°F), reduce the dose of topotecan hydrochloride to 0.6 mg/m2 for subsequent courses.
Alternatively, in the event of severe febrile neutropenia, administer G-CSF following the subsequent course (before resorting to dose reduction) starting from day 4 of the course (24 hours after completion of administration of topotecan hydrochloride).
If febrile neutropenia occurs despite the use of G-CSF, reduce the dose of topotecan hydrochloride to 0.45 mg/m2 for subsequent courses.
In the event the platelet count falls below 25,000 cells/mm3, reduce doses to 0.6 mg/m2 for subsequent courses.
2.3 Dosage Adjustment in Specific Populations
Renal Impairment
No dosage adjustment of topotecan hydrochloride appears to be required for patients with mild renal impairment (Clcr 40 to 60 mL/min). Dosage adjustment of topotecan hydrochloride to 0.75 mg/m2 is recommended for patients with moderate renal impairment (20 to 39 mL/min). Insufficient data are available in patients with severe renal impairment to provide a dosage recommendation for topotecan hydrochloride [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Topotecan hydrochloride in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of cervical cancer should only be initiated in patients with serum creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dL. In the clinical trial, cisplatin was discontinued for a serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL. Insufficient data are available regarding continuing monotherapy with topotecan hydrochloride after cisplatin discontinuation in patients with cervical cancer.
2.4 Instructions for Handling, Preparation and Intravenous Administration
Handling
Topotecan hydrochloride is a cytotoxic anticancer drug. Prepare topotecan hydrochloride under a vertical laminar flow hood while wearing gloves and protective clothing. If topotecan hydrochloride solution contacts the skin, wash the skin immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. If topotecan hydrochloride contacts mucous membranes, flush thoroughly with water.
Use procedures for proper handling and disposal of anticancer drugs. Several guidelines on this subject have been published.1-4
Preparation and Administration
Each 4 mg vial of topotecan hydrochloride is reconstituted with 4 mL Sterile Water for Injection. Then the appropriate volume of the reconstituted solution is diluted in either 0.9% Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion or 5% Dextrose Intravenous Infusion prior to administration.
Stability
Unopened vials of topotecan hydrochloride are stable until the date indicated on the package when stored between 20° and 25°C (68° and 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] and protected from light in the original package. Because the vials contain no preservative, contents should be used immediately after reconstitution.
Reconstituted vials of topotecan hydrochloride diluted for infusion are stable at approximately 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) and ambient lighting conditions for 24 hours.