Temozolomide is used to treat brain cancer.
This medicine reduces the size of the tumour by stopping cancer cells from growing.
It may be used on its own or together with other medicines or radiotherapy treatment depending on your condition.
Temozolomide may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Temozolomide injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of Temozolomide will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of your treatment depending on your condition, effectiveness of the therapy, and your tolerability to this medicine.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Temozolomide.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Temozolomide or other similar medicines such as dacarbazine.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Temozolomide therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while using this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods during Temozolomide therapy and for at least 6 months after stopping the treatment. Men with female partners of childbearing potential are also advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of Temozolomide.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine and for at least 1 week after the final dose.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- pneumonia (an infection that causes inflammation of the lungs)
- severe liver disease
- severe kidney disease
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to use.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver function tests) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs of allergic reactions or pneumonia, emergence of new cancer, or lowering of lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) may also be needed.
Temozolomide may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, convulsions, dizziness, rash, hair loss, and injection site reactions such as pain, irritation or swelling.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sore
This medicine will cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- other medicines for cancer
- valproic acid (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizures])
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Temozolomide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8 °C.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As this is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired medicine to the clinic, hospital or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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