Temozolomide: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is the drug Temozolomide used for?

Temozolomide is a drug to treat certain types of brain cancer. Temozolomide is a chemotherapy drug that works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells. In some patients, temozolomide reduces the size of the brain tumor.

OTHER BENEFITS: This section contains benefits of this drug that are not listed on the approved professional label of the drug but may have been prescribed by a professional healthcare provider. Use this medication for the conditions listed in this section only if it has been prescribed by a professional healthcare provider. This drug may also be useful in treating other types of cancer (for example, bone cancer).

How do you use the drug Temozolomide?

Read the patient information leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking temozolomide and each time you get a refill. If you have questions about information or you are unsure when to take medication during the treatment cycle, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine is usually taken once a day or as directed by a doctor. To reduce nausea and vomiting, drink it on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 3 hours after eating) or at bedtime, if not instructed otherwise by your doctor. To ensure a constant amount of medicine in the body, take it at the same time every day that corresponds to the time of eating (for example: always 1 hour before dinner or always 3 hours after dinner).

Swallow the capsules with a glass of water (8 ounces or 240 ml). Dosage is based on medical condition, body size, and response to therapy. Do not crush, chew, or open a capsule. If the capsule is accidentally opened or crushed, avoid inhaling the medicine, and do not let the medicine touch the skin or mucous membranes (for example inside the nose). If contact occurs, wash the area with water. Because this drug can be absorbed through the skin, pregnant women or expectant mothers should not touch this medicine.

Do not increase your dose or take this medication more frequently without your doctor's approval. The condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may increase.

How to store Temozolomide?

Store the medicine at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom and freeze medication. Different brands of drugs may have different storage methods. Check the product box for instructions on how to store it, or ask the pharmacist. Stay away from children and pets.

It is forbidden to flush the medicine in the toilet or throw it into the drain if not told to. Properly discard this product if it is past the deadline or is no longer needed. Consult a pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more in-depth details on how to safely dispose of the product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using the drug Temozolomide?

Before deciding to use drugs, first consider the benefits and risks. This is a decision you should make after discussing it with your doctor. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read labels or packaging materials carefully.

Children

Adequate studies have not been carried out on the relationship of age to the effects of temozolomide in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been confirmed.

Elderly

Although adequate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of temozolomide have not been carried out in the elderly population, the specific disorders of the elderly are not considered to limit the benefits of temozolomide in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have renal, hepatic, or cardiac problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in dosage for patients receiving temozolomide.

Is the drug Temozolomide safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is included in the pregnancy risk category D (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = Unknown)

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Temozolomide?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as:

• Convulsions
• Numbness or tingling on one side of the 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
• Cough without phlegm, shortness of breath, weight loss, night sweats
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• White patches or spots inside the mouth or lips
• Nausea, upper stomach pain, hives, loss of appetite; dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice

Milder side effects may include:

• Hair loss
• Feel tired
• Diarrhea, constipation
• Mild rash
• Dizziness, blurred vision
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia)
• Unusual or bad taste in the mouth

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Temozolomide?

Although certain drugs should not be used at the same time, in other cases two different drugs may be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, the doctor may want to change the dose, or other warnings may be important. Tell your healthcare professional if you are on prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the action of the drug Temozolomide?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with a healthcare professional about using drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Temozolomide?

The presence of other medical disorders may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bone marrow problems (eg anemia, leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia)
• Liver disorders - use with caution. May aggravate the condition.
• Chickenpox (including recent exposure)
• Shingles (shingles) - may increase the risk of serious disease affecting other parts of the body.
• Kidney disease, severe
• Liver disease, severe - use with caution.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of the drug Temozolomide for adults?

Usual adult dosage for anaplastic astrocytoma:

Initial dose: 150 mg / m2 orally once a day

Rule dosage: 200 mg / m2 orally once a day

Duration of therapy: 5 consecutive days per 28 day treatment cycle

Initial dose: 150 mg / m2 IV for 90 minutes once daily

Rule dosage: 200 mg / m2 IV for 90 minutes once a day

Duration of therapy: 5 consecutive days per 28 day treatment cycle.

Usual adult dosage for glioblastoma multiforme:

The concomitant phase with focal radiotherapy:

Oral:

75 mg / m2 orally once a day

Duration of therapy: 42 days

IV:

75 mg / m2 IV for 90 minutes once daily

Duration of therapy: 42 days

What is the dosage of the drug Temozolomide for children?

Usual children's dose for anaplastic astrocytoma

Safety and efficacy have not been confirmed

Previously untreated with chemotherapy: 200 mg / m2 orally once daily

Duration of therapy: 5 days followed by 23 days without treatment

Previously treated with chemotherapy:

Initial dose: 150 mg / m2 orally once a day

Rule dosage: 200 mg / m2 orally once a day

Duration of therapy: The first 5 days in each treatment cycle

Usual children's dosage for glioblastoma multiforme

Previously untreated with chemotherapy: 200 mg / m2 orally once daily

Duration of therapy: 5 days followed by 23 days without treatment

Previously treated with chemotherapy:

Initial dose: 150 mg / m2 orally once a day

Rule dosage: 200 mg / m2 orally once a day

Duration of therapy: The first 5 days of each treatment cycle

In what dosages and preparations is Temozolomide available?

5 mg capsules; 20 mg; 100 mg; 140 mg; 180 mg; 250 mg

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.