Temodar Side Effects
Generic name: temozolomide
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 25, 2025.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Temodar Side Effects associated with temozolomide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Temodar.
Applies to temozolomide: oral capsule.
Other dosage forms:
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it during conception or pregnancy. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting this medicine. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last dose. Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
Temozolomide can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:
- If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
- Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
- Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
- Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
- Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
- Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.
Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
This medicine may cause serious lung or breathing problems (eg, pneumonia). Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, cough, fever or chills, sneezing, sore throat, or trouble breathing.
This medicine may increase risk of blood problems and secondary cancer (eg, myeloid leukemia). Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain, chills, cough or hoarseness, fever, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination, sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth, swollen glands, trouble breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Male patients should not donate semen during treatment and for at least 3 months after the final dose of this medicine.
If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Common side effects of Temodar
Some side effects of temozolomide 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 or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common side effects
Less common or rare side effects
- anxiety
- blurred or double vision
- breast pain (in females)
- burning or prickling feeling on the skin
- confusion
- diarrhea
- difficulty with speaking
- drowsiness
- increased urge to urinate
- loss of appetite
- loss of muscle coordination
- mental depression
- runny or stuffy nose
- trouble sleeping
- unusual weight gain
Serious side effects of Temodar
Along with its needed effects, temozolomide (the active ingredient contained in Temodar) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking temozolomide:
Less common or rare side effects
- amnesia
- black, tarry stools
- blood in the urine or stools
- cough or hoarseness
- fever or chills
- lower back or side pain
- muscle weakness or paralysis on one or both sides of the body
- painful or difficult urination
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- seizures
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Incidence not known
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- chest pain or tightness
- clay colored stools
- cough
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- headache
- hives, itching, or skin rash
- joint or muscle pain
- nausea or vomiting
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- sneezing
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- stomach pain or tenderness
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- yellow skin or eyes
For healthcare professionals
Applies to temozolomide: intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule.
General adverse events
The most common side effects were alopecia, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, headache, and constipation.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Constipation (Up to 33%), nausea (Up to 53%), vomiting (Up to 42%), diarrhea (16%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomatitis, taste perversion, dysphagia, dyspepsia
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal distension, fecal incontinence, gastrointestinal disorder, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (Up to 41%), convulsions (Up to 23%), hemiparesis (18%), abnormal coordination (11%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, confusion, memory impairment, amnesia, paresthesia, somnolence, paresis, urinary incontinence, ataxia, abnormal gait, neuropathy, balance impairment, speech disorder, tremors, hemiparesis[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema (11%)
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitation[Ref]
Other
- Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (Up to 61%), asthenia (13%), fever (13%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Weakness, radiation injury, face edema, pain, hearing impairment
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Otitis media, tinnitus, hyperacusis, earache, deafness, vertigo, impotence, vaginal hemorrhage, menorrhagia, amenorrhea, vaginitis, breast pain[Ref]
Endocrine
- Common (1% to 10%): Adrenal hypercorticism[Ref]
Respiratory
- Common (1% to 10%): Cough, dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, sinusitis
Post-marketing surveillance: Interstitial pneumonitis, pneumonitis, alveolitis, pulmonary fibrosis[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (55 to 69%), rash (13 to 19%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Dry skin, erythema, pruritus, petechiae
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Photosensitivity reaction, abnormal pigmentation, sweating increased
Post-marketing surveillance: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome[Ref]
A case of diffuse erythematous skin rash that progressed to an extensive full body desquamative skin rash has been reported. Even though temozolomide was permanently discontinued, the patient continued to experience the rash on a long-term basis with periodic exacerbations.[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, anxiety, depression
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, apathy, behavior disorder, hallucination, amnesia[Ref]
Metabolic
- Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (19 to 27%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Weight increase, weight decrease, hyperglycemia
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypokalemia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain[Ref]
Ocular
- Common (1% to 10%): Vision blurred, diplopia
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hemianopia, visual acuity reduced, vision disorder, visual field defect, eye pain, dry eyes[Ref]
Immunologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Infection, Herpes simplex, wound infection, candidiasis oral
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Herpes zoster, influenza-like symptoms
Post-marketing surveillance: Opportunistic infections including Pneumocystis pneumonia[Ref]
Oncologic
Post-marketing surveillance: Secondary malignancies including myeloid leukemia[Ref]
Hematologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, febrile neutropenia, anemia
Post-marketing surveillance: Prolonged pancytopenia, myelodysplastic syndrome[Ref]
Hepatic
- Common (1% to 10%): ALT increased
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic enzymes increased, Gamma GT increased, AST increased
Post-marketing surveillance: Fatal and severe hepatotoxicity, elevation of liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia, cholestasis, hepatitis
Hypersensitivity
- Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
Renal
- Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, micturition increased frequency
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria
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References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Temodar (temozolomide)." Schering Corporation
2. Pick AM, Neff WJ, Nystrom KK (2008) "Temozolomide-induced desquamative skin rash in a patient with metastatic melanoma." Pharmacotherapy, 28, p. 406-9
3. Villano JL, Collins CA, Manasanch EE, Ramaprasad C, van Besien K (2006) "Aplastic anaemia in patient with glioblastoma multiforme treated with temozolomide." Lancet Oncol, 7, p. 436-8
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Further information
Temodar side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.