Temozolomide

Generic Name: Temozolomide (TEM-oh-ZOE-loe-mide)
Brand Name: Temodar

Temozolomide is used for:

Treating certain types of brain tumors in certain patients. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Temozolomide is an antineoplastic agent. It works by stopping cancer cells from growing and reproducing.

Do NOT use Temozolomide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Temozolomide
• you are allergic to dacarbazine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Temozolomide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Temozolomide . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney or liver problems
• if you have low white blood cell counts or low blood platelet levels

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Temozolomide . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of severe infection may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Temozolomide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Temozolomide :

Use Temozolomide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Temozolomide . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Temozolomide by mouth with or without food. However, you should take it the same way each time in relation to food. Taking Temozolomide on an empty stomach or taking it at bedtime may reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting.
• You may receive 2 or more types or colors of capsules. Be sure you understand exactly how much of Temozolomide to take and how often you should take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Swallow Temozolomide whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Do not open the capsule. If the capsule is opened accidently, do not get the medicine in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on your skin. If you do, rinse the affected area with water.
• Take Temozolomide with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
• Temozolomide works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• If you miss a dose of Temozolomide , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Temozolomide .

Important safety information:

• Temozolomide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Temozolomide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common with Temozolomide . Ask your doctor or pharmacist for ways to decrease these effects if they occur.
• Temozolomide may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Temozolomide may increase your risk of developing a second cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Temozolomide may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Temozolomide . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Temozolomide with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Temozolomide should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• Men who take Temozolomide should always use a condom when having sex with a woman who may become pregnant. Do this for as long as you take Temozolomide .
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Temozolomide may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. Use an effective form of birth control while you are taking Temozolomide . If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Temozolomide while you are pregnant. It is not known if Temozolomide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Temozolomide .

Possible side effects of Temozolomide :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Anxiety; back pain; breast pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry skin; hair loss; headache; joint pain; loss of appetite; mouth sores; muscle aches; nausea; stomach pain; taste changes; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; weight gain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; coughing up blood; depression; difficulty swallowing; increased or painful urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; loss of bladder control; loss of coordination; memory loss; muscle pain or weakness; numbness and tingling; paralysis; persistent cough; seizures; severe or persistent headache; severe tiredness or weakness; shortness of breath; speech changes; sudden, severe weight gain; swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands; trouble walking; unusual bruising or bleeding; vision changes (eg, blurred or double vision).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include persistent fever or severe bleeding.

Proper storage of Temozolomide :

Store Temozolomide at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Temozolomide out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Temozolomide , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Temozolomide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Temozolomide . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page

Add to List