Streptozocin (Intravenous)

Streptozocin is part of a group of medicines called alkylating agents. It is used to treat pancreatic cancer.

Streptozocin appears to slow the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. It also has a direct impact on how the pancreas functions. Since it may also affect the growth of normal body cells, other effects can occur. Some of these effects may be serious and should be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but could be concerning. Some effects might not show up for months or years after using the medicine.

Before starting treatment with streptozocin, you and your doctor should discuss the benefits of this medicine as well as its risks.

Streptozocin should only be given by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

It is very important that your doctor checks your progress at regular visits to ensure that this medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted effects.

While you are being treated with streptozocin, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval. Streptozocin may lower your body's resistance, and there is a chance you might get the infection that the immunization is meant to prevent. In addition, other people living in your household should not take oral polio vaccine since there is a chance they could pass the polio virus on to you. Also, avoid persons who have recently taken oral polio vaccine. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you cannot take these precautions, you should consider wearing a protective face mask that covers the nose and mouth.

If streptozocin accidentally seeps out of the vein into which it is injected, it may damage some tissues and cause scarring. Tell the health care professional right away if you notice redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. The following points should be taken into account for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

There is no specific information available about the use of streptozocin in children compared to other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way in older adults as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or issues in older people. There is no specific information about the use of streptozocin in the elderly compared to other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there might be an interaction. In such cases, your doctor may want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine along with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may impact the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
• Herpes zoster (shingles)—Risk of severe disease affecting other parts of the body

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus—May be worsened

• Infection—Streptozocin can reduce your body's ability to fight infection

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Effects of streptozocin may be heightened due to slower removal from the body

Along with their necessary effects, medicines like streptozocin can sometimes cause unwanted effects, such as kidney problems and other side effects. These and others are described below. Also, because of how these medicines work in the body, there is a chance they might cause other unwanted effects that may not appear until months or years after using the medicine. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Streptozocin has been shown to cause tumors (some of which are cancerous) in animals. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Anxiety, nervousness, or shakiness
• Chills, cold sweats, or cool, pale skin
• Drowsiness or unusual tiredness or weakness
• Fast pulse
• Headache
• Pain or redness at the injection site
• Unusual hunger

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in urine or stools
• Cough or hoarseness
• Fever or chills
• Lower back or side pain
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Swelling of feet or lower legs
• Unusual decrease in urination

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Nausea and vomiting (usually occurs within 2 to 4 hours after receiving the dose and may be severe)

Less common

• Diarrhea

After you stop using this medicine, it may still cause some side effects that need attention. During this time, check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

More common

• Decrease in urination
• Swelling of feet or lower legs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Zanosar

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Alkylating Agent

Chemical Class: Nitrosourea

While you are receiving streptozocin, your doctor may want you to drink extra fluids so that you will pass more urine. This will help prevent kidney problems and keep your kidneys working well.

This medicine usually causes nausea and vomiting, which may be severe. However, it is very important that you continue to receive the medicine, even if you begin to feel ill. Ask your health care professional for ways to lessen these effects.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.