Mitomycin is an antineoplastic medication. Mitomycin interferes with the growth of cancer cells
and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Mitomycin is used to treat cancer of the stomach and pancreas.
Mitomycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mitomycin?
Do not use mitomycin without first talking to your doctor if you have
kidney disease;
poorly functioning bone marrow; or
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
The use of mitomycin may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions
listed above.
Mitomycin may be harmful to an unborn baby.
Do not
use mitomycin
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of
birth control during treatment with mitomycin if necessary.
It is not know whether mitomycin passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding should be avoided
during treatment with mitomycin.
How should I take mitomycin?
Mitomycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider
experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with mitomycin
depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any
questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice redness, pain or swelling at the place of
injection or anywhere else on your skin.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical
evaluations during treatment with mitomycin to monitor progress and side effects.
Your healthcare provider will store mitomycin as directed by the manufacturer. If you are
storing mitomycin at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.
What happens if I miss a dose of mitomycin?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of mitomycin.
Where can I get more information about mitomycin?
Your pharmacist has information about mitomycin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of mitomycin?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from mitomycin, contact your doctor
immediately:
an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
kidney damage (little or no urine production, blood in the
urine, lower back or side pain, difficulty urinating, or swelling of the ankles or feet);
decreased bone marrow function and blood problems
(extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or
signs of infection);
redness, pain or swelling at the place of injection or
elsewhere on the skin;
severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite; or
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking
mitomycin and talk to your doctor if you experience:
mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite;
headache;
blurred vision;
drowsiness or dizziness;
weakness; or
confusion.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about mitomycin?
Mitomycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider
experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Serious side effects have been reported with the use of mitomycin including: allergic reactions
(difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone
marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry
stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection); kidney damage (little or no urine production, blood in the
urine, lower back or side pain, difficulty urinating, or swelling of the ankles or feet); lung and heart
problems; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with
mitomycin.
Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice redness, pain or swelling at the place of
injection or anywhere else on your skin.
What should I avoid while taking mitomycin?
Mitomycin can lower the activity of the immune system making you more susceptible to
infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. In addition,
do not receive vaccines that contain a live strain of the virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) and avoid
contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live virus.
What other drugs will affect mitomycin?
Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with mitomycin. Administration of a live
vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with mitomycin.
Other drugs may also interact with mitomycin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking
any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products,
during treatment with mitomycin.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009