Medicinehospital

Topotecan

A chemotherapy injection used to treat ovarian, small cell lung and cervical cancers.

Clinical information

Common uses

metastatic ovarian cancer
small cell lung cancer
cervical cancer (with cisplatin)

Common side effects

feeling or being sick
tiredness
diarrhoea
breathlessness
low blood counts

Cautions

severe bone marrow suppression — blood counts monitored closely
fatal lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease) has occurred
leakage at the drip site can injure tissue
use effective contraception during treatment

Pregnancy: avoid — can harm an unborn baby

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, topotecan hydrochloride label, setid b6019088-cd94-43b4-b5ce-ba20b6b8021e (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations4

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Topotecan	Parenteral ( Infusion- Powder )	1mg/ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Topotecan	Parenteral ( Infusion- Powder )	4mg/4ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Topotecan	Capsule ( Hard gelatin Capsule )	0.25mg	—	POM
Topotecan	Capsule ( Hard gelatin Capsule )	1mg	—	POM