Temozolomide
About Temozolomide
Temozolomide is a prescription medicine used to treat specific types of brain cancers in adults. It is primarily prescribed to manage newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme, a severe form of brain tumour, as well as anaplastic astrocytoma when other treatments stop working. Its main medical purpose is to target and slow down the replication of cancer cells inside the brain.
You must take Temozolomide consistently at the same time each day exactly as your doctor directs, typically during specific treatment cycles. To reduce stomach upset and prevent vomiting, you should take this medicine on an empty stomach, either one hour before a meal or two hours after eating, or right before bedtime. Adopting a diet of small, frequent meals and drinking plenty of fluids can help manage nausea and support your body during this treatment.
Common side effects of this medication include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, constipation, and loss of appetite. It is crucial to consult your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects like signs of an infection (such as a fever or chills), unusual bleeding, persistent bruising, or signs of liver damage like yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Before starting this treatment, talk to your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease, liver disease, or low blood cell counts. Do not take this if you have had a severe allergic reaction to this medication or to dacarbazine, or if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
This medicine can interact with other drugs such as valproic acid, which can increase the levels of the medicine in your body and raise the risk of severe side effects. Avoid alcohol and smoking while taking this medication as they can put extra strain on your liver and worsen feelings of nausea or fatigue. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and elderly individuals must consult their doctor before using this medicine due to the high risk of serious complications.
Uses of Temozolomide
Medicinal Benefits
Temozolomide is an anticancer medicine used to treat certain types of brain tumours. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells, helping control disease progression and supporting treatment outcomes.
- Helps Control Brain Tumours: Slows the growth and spread of cancer cells, helping manage certain malignant brain tumours.
- Reaches Brain Tissue Effectively: Crosses the blood-brain barrier, allowing the medicine to act directly on tumour cells within the brain.
- Supports Cancer Treatment: May be used alone or in combination with radiotherapy to improve treatment effectiveness, as recommended by your doctor.
- Convenient Oral Therapy: Available as an oral capsule, allowing treatment to be taken at home according to the prescribed chemotherapy schedule.
- Supports Long-Term Disease Management: By helping control tumour growth, it may improve treatment outcomes, relieve disease-related symptoms, and support quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Temozolomide can be taken with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. To minimize potential side effects like nausea and vomiting, it is recommended to take Temozolomide consistently either on an empty stomach or with meals.
- Temozolomide is usually taken once daily; however, follow your doctor's instructions regarding dosage and timing to ensure optimal effectiveness.
- Swallow Temozolomide as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break Temozolomide, as this may impact absorption.
Storage
Side Effects of Temozolomide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Extreme tiredness or weakness (fatigue)
- Headache
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Temporary hair thinning or hair loss
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Signs of an infection, including a fever over 100.4°F (38°C), chills, or a severe sore throat
- Unusual bleeding, frequent nosebleeds, or tiny red spots on the skin
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe upper stomach pain
- Severe shortness of breath, chest tightness, or a dry, hacking cough
- A severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or a widespread peeling skin rash
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Do not touch damaged capsules: Always handle capsules with dry hands. If a capsule is cracked or leaking, caregivers should wear disposable gloves to handle it and discard it according to chemotherapy safety protocols.
- Get regular blood tests: You must undergo regular blood tests before and during each treatment cycle to ensure your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are at safe levels.
- Use reliable birth control: Both men and women must use highly effective birth control during treatment and for several months after the final dose, as Temozolomide can cause severe birth defects.
- Do not drive if fatigued: This medicine can make you feel extremely tired or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Avoid live vaccinations: Talk to your doctor before getting any vaccines. Avoid receiving live vaccines during your treatment, as your immune system is temporarily weakened.
Drug Interactions
Temozolomide may interact with certain medicines, affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
- Valproic acid: Taking this seizure medication alongside Temozolomide can reduce how quickly your body clears this drug, which may increase the risk of severe side effects.
- Bone marrow-suppressing drugs: Taking other medicines that weaken your immune system or lower your blood counts can dangerously increase your risk of severe infections and bleeding.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Temozolomide. It could lead to unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns about this. Temozolomide should not be used during pregnancy unless prescribed by your doctor. Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during the treatment and for 6months after completion of the treatment.
Breast Feeding
unsafeTemozolomide should not be taken during breastfeeding as it passes into the breastmilk and may harm the baby.
Driving
cautionTemozolomide may make you feel tired or sleepy. Drive and/or operate machines only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before using Temozolomide. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Temozolomide.
Kidney
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any kidney-related diseases, please consult the doctor before using Temozolomide. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Temozolomide.
Children
cautionSafety and effectiveness of Temozolomide in paediatric patients under the age of three have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat small, frequent meals: To help manage nausea, try eating five or six small, bland meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. Avoid greasy, spicy, or very sweet foods.
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water, clear broths, or electrolyte solutions to stay hydrated, especially on days when you feel nauseous or have a poor appetite.
- Practice strict infection prevention: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, avoid crowded places, and stay away from people who are currently sick or have colds.
- Use a soft toothbrush: To prevent bleeding gums, use an extra-soft toothbrush and avoid using toothpicks. Use an electric razor instead of a manual blade to prevent skin cuts.
Special Advise
Temozolomide should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while taking Temozolomide.
Your doctor may advise you to get routine blood tests done to monitor your liver function, electrolyte levels, and blood cell count.
Both male and female patients who are taking Temozolomide must use effective contraceptive precautions. Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during the treatment and for 6months after completion of the treatment. Male patients should avoid fathering a child while on treatment with Temozolomide and should use effective contraception during the treatment and for 3months after the treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Brain tumour: A brain tumour is an uncontrolled, unregulated proliferation of cells in the brain. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs. The symptoms of a brain tumour differ depending on the tumour's location in the brain. Common symptoms include headaches, fits (seizures), feeling unwell or being sick all the time, behavioural changes, paralysis, sickness, eyesight or speech impairments.
FAQs
Temozolomide belongs to a class of medicines called anti-cancer agents, used to treat specific forms of brain tumours such as glioblastoma multiforme (a type of tumour that grows and spreads rapidly) in adults and malignant glioma, including glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma (a rare malignant brain tumour) in patients older than 3years.
Temozolomide works by binding to the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid-genetic material of the cell) and interfering with cell growth and division. Thus, Temozolomide prevents tumours from growing.
Temozolomide may cause permanent infertility. Male patients should use effective contraception and refrain from fathering a child for up to three months after treatment is completed. Prior to treatment, it is recommended to seek sperm conservation advice from your doctor.
Yes, Temozolomide can cause neutropenia (low white blood cells count), lymphopenia (low lymphocytes count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). As a part of therapy, your doctor may monitor your blood profile.
Temozolomide may lead to hyperglycemia (Increased blood sugar). Consult your doctor if you are diabetic. Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while taking Temozolomide.
The live vaccine may interact with Temozolomide. Do not have vaccinations or immunisations without talking to your doctor first.
No. You must swallow the capsules whole. Opening or chewing the capsules can expose you or your caregivers to harmful chemical powder, which can cause severe skin or respiratory irritation. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing capsules.
If you vomit after taking your dose, do not take another capsule to replace it. Contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately for specific instructions on how to handle your schedule. Talk to your doctor about anti-nausea medications you can take before your next dose.
This medicine temporarily lowers the number of blood cells made in your bone marrow. Regular blood tests are essential to ensure your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets do not drop to dangerously low levels, which could cause severe infections or bleeding.
Your treatment schedule is divided into cycles, often lasting several months. The exact duration depends on the type of brain tumour, how well the tumour responds, and how your body tolerates the medicine. Talk to your doctor for your specific timeline.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol. Alcohol can worsen common side effects like nausea, dizziness, and fatigue, and it can place unnecessary extra strain on your liver during chemotherapy. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Yes. While temporary hair thinning or hair loss is a common side effect of Temozolomide, your hair will typically begin to grow back once you have completed your full course of treatment.
No. This medicine can cause severe harm to an unborn baby or lead to birth defects. Both men and women must use highly effective birth control during treatment and for several months after stopping. Talk to your doctor immediately if a pregnancy occurs.
You should consult your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter pain relievers. Some pain medicines can increase your risk of bleeding, which is dangerous if your blood platelet counts are low. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for a safe recommendation.
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