Temozolomide

Fact Sheet – Everything You Should Know

In this Temozolomide fact sheet, you’ll get to know about the precautions, usage, possible side effects, and the types of cancer that you can treat with this chemo drug.

Temozolomide Fact Sheet

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Here’s the Temozolomide fact sheet to get detailed information about Temozolomide

It Is Used To Treat These Cancers
(Cancer types that you can treat with this chemo drug)

  • Brain (first-line treatment for glioblastoma multiforme)

How To Take it
(What are the forms of application)

  • Oral; take the pill on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals or at bedtime) to reduce stomach upset.

Precautions
(Things that you should avoid)

  • Avoid pregnancy; Themozolomide may harm your baby
  • Don’t receive any vaccination. Vaccination may not work as long as your immune system is weakened during the chemotherapy.
  • Do not take aspirin

Mechanism of Action of Temozolomide
(How does the drug affect cancer cells)

Temozolomide damages the DNA of cancer cells and causes cell death.

Drug Interactions
(Medicine that can affect the chemo drug negatively)

  • Lorazepam (anti-anxiety)
  • Diphenhydramine (anti-allergic)
  • Dexamethasone (steroid)
  • Hydromorphone (pain killer)
  • Keppra (anti-seizure drug)
  • Furosemide (diuretic)
  • Oxycodone (pain killer)
  • Pantoprazole (reflux)

Reproductive Concerns
(Things that are related to your sexual health)

  • Prevent becoming pregnant. Temozolomide can damage your baby’s DNA and can lead to birth defects or abortion
  • Stop breastfeeding; your breast milk might contain Temozolomide

Possible Side Effects
(Unpleasant effects of the treatment)

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rash
  • Itching
  • Constipation
  • Nausea & vomiting
  • Low white blood cells; white blood cells represent your immune system which is essential to fight cancer as well as bacteria and viruses. You have an increased risk of getting infections.
  • Low red blood cells; might cause fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness.
  • Low platelets; your platelets are responsible for blood clotting. A reduced number can lead to bleedings in the intestine and the bladder.

When To Call the doctor
(Emergency that needs professional support)

  • Vomiting (> 4 times in 24h)
  • Diarrhea (> 4 episodes in 24h); long-lasting diarrhea can cause severe dehydration
  • Black stool; can be a sign of intestinal bleeding.
  • Blood in the urine
  • Extreme fatigue