What is temozolomide?
Temozolomide interferes with the development of cancer cells, slowing their growth and spread in the body.
Temozolomide is used together with radiation therapy to treat certain types of brain tumor in adults.
Temozolomide is sometimes given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment of the tumor.
Temozolomide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
-
Precautions
-
Instructions
-
Side Effects
-
Interactions
Precautions
You should not this medication if you are allergic to temozolomide or to another cancer medication called dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
- liver disease; or
- kidney disease.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use temozolomide without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether temozolomide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Taking temozolomide may increase your risk of developing certain types of bone marrow cancer. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
Women and older adults may be more likely to have bone marrow suppression (a weakened immune system) while taking temozolomide. This can lead to an increased risk of infection or illness.
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
▲
Back to top
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Taking temozolomide for more than 5 days in a row can cause life-threatening overdose.
Overdose symptoms may include fever, pale skin, increased thirst, dry skin, easy bruising or bleeding, confusion, weakness, and urinating less than usual or not at all.
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose or forget to take your temozolomide.
▲
Back to top
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- seizure (convulsions);
- numbness or tingling on one side of your body;
- signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, unusual weakness;
- dry cough, feeling short of breath, weight loss, night sweats;
- pain or burning when you urinate; or
- white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.
Less serious side effects may include:
- hair loss;
- tired feeling;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- mild skin rash;
- dizziness, blurred vision;
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.
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.
▲
Back to top
Interactions
Before taking temozolomide, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
- divalproex sodium (Depakote);
- phenytoin (Dilantin);
- valproic acid (Depakene, Depacon);
- steroids (prednisone and others); or
- a sulfa drug such as Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim, or SMX-TMP.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with temozolomide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
Temodar and temozolomide
▲
Back to top
Disclaimer
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.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
Updating results…
0 helpful marks
