Temodar Side Effects

Generic name: temozolomide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 30, 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: intravenous powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking temozolomide:

More common side effects

• bladder pain
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bloody or cloudy urine
• body aches or pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest tightness
• chills
• cold or flu-like symptoms
• congestion
• cough or hoarseness
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with breathing
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• ear congestion
• fever
• frequent urge to urinate
• headache
• loss of ability to use or understand speech or language
• loss of bladder control
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• partial or slight paralysis
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• tingling of the hands or feet
• trouble swallowing
• troubled breathing
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• voice changes

Less common side effects

• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• flushing or redness of the skin
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusually warm skin

Incidence not known

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• clay colored stools
• decreased appetite
• deep, dark purple bruise
• diarrhea
• joint or muscle pain
• nausea or vomiting
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• small red or purple spots on the skin
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• stomach pain or tenderness
• yellow eyes or skin

Other 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

• back pain
• being forgetful
• blurred vision
• breast pain
• change in walking and balance
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• constipation
• discouragement
• fear or nervousness
• feeling sad or empty
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• irritability
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• problems with memory
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• weight loss

Less common side effects

• change in taste or bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
• changes in vision
• difficulty with moving
• double vision
• dry skin
• increased weight
• mood or mental changes
• muscle aching or cramping
• muscle stiffness
• seeing double
• swollen joints

Incidence not known

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

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

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.

Medical Disclaimer