section name header

Information

AHFS Class:

10:00 Antineoplastic Agents

Generic Name

Products

Irinotecan hydrochloride liposomal injection is available in 10-mL single-use vials containing 43 mg of irinotecan as the free base in a white to slightly yellow opaque liposomal dispersion.3147 Irinotecan is provided inside liposome carriers (approximate diameter 110 nm) in a gelated or precipitated state as the sucrose octasulfate salt.3147 Liposomes encapsulating irinotecan are composed of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) 6.81 mg/mL, cholesterol 2.22 mg/mL, and methoxy-terminated polyethylene glycol 2000 distearoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (MPEG-2000-DSPE) 0.12 mg/mL.3147 Each vial also contains sodium chloride 8.42 mg/mL and hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid (HEPES) 4.05 mg/mL.3147

CAUTION: Care should be taken to ensure that the correct drug product, dose, and administration procedures are used and that no confusion with other products occurs. The manufacturer states that irinotecan hydrochloride liposomal injection must not be substituted for other drugs containing irinotecan hydrochloride.3147

The appropriate dose of the drug should be withdrawn from the vial and diluted in 500 mL of dextrose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9%.3147 The diluted solution should be mixed by gentle inversion.3147

Tonicity

Irinotecan hydrochloride liposomal injection is isotonic.3147

Trade Name(s)

Onivyde

Administration

Irinotecan hydrochloride liposomal injection is administered by intravenous infusion over 90 minutes following dilution in dextrose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9%.3147 If solutions diluted for infusion have been refrigerated, the solution should be allowed to come to room temperature prior to administration.3147 Diluted solutions should be protected from light.3147

As with other toxic drugs, applicable special handling and disposal procedures for irinotecan hydrochloride liposomal should be followed.3147

CAUTION: Care should be taken to ensure that the correct drug product, dose, and administration procedures are used and that no confusion with other products occurs.

Stability

Intact vials of irinotecan hydrochloride liposomal injection should be stored at 2 to 8°C.3147 Both intact vials and solutions diluted for infusion should be protected from light and should not be frozen.3147 The manufacturer states that diluted solutions should be used within 4 hours after dilution if stored at room temperature or within 24 hours if refrigerated at 2 to 8°C.3147 Any unused portions of the solution should be discarded.3147

Filtration

Inline filters should not be used for administration of irinotecan hydrochloride liposomal injection.3147

Compatibility

Solution Compatibility

Other Info

References

For a list of references cited in the text of this monograph, search the monograph titled References.

Copyrights

ASHP® Injectable Drug InformationTM. Selected Revisions March 13, 2017. © Copyright, 2025. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.