Thiotepa - parenteral


Patient Medicine Information
Why do I need this medicine?
Thiotepa is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat certain types of cancer of the breast, ovary, and bladder.

This medicine may also be used to control fluid leaking into body spaces that have been affected by secondary tumours.

Thiotepa may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
How do I use this medicine?
Thiotepa injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein), intramuscularly (into the muscles) or by instillation into the bladder or body space.

Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.

The dose, route, and schedule of administration of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on your condition and response to the medication.
What should I do if I have forgotten to use this medicine?
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any dose. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Thiotepa.

If you miss an appointment or miss an injection with your doctor, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
When should I not use this medicine?
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Thiotepa therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.

Men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Thiotepa therapy and for 6 months for females and 1 year for males after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.

Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.

Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated.

You must avoid any vaccinations without first consulting your doctor.
What should I take note of while using this medicine?
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
  • liver disease
  • kidney disease
  • bone marrow damage
  • history of heart disease
  • previous radiation therapy, chemotherapy of ≥3 cycles, or bone marrow transplantation
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 Thiotepa is suited for you to use.
  • Routine tests (e.g. blood count, heart, liver and kidney function tests) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine.
Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
What side effects could I experience?
Thiotepa may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, loss of appetite, cough, mouth sore, muscle pain, and injection site pain or swelling.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
  • weakness on one side of the body, change in balance, trouble speaking or thinking
  • rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
  • fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, cough, pain with passing urine
  • black, red, or tarry stools, bleeding from the gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, bruises, bleeding that cannot be stopped
This medicine may 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 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.

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. Inform 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.
Can I use this with other medicines?
Avoid vaccinations during treatment with Thiotepa. Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
  • other medicines for cancer e.g. cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, tamoxifen, busulfan, fludarabine
  • medicine to treat fungal infection e.g. itraconazole
  • certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin
  • medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, efavirenz
  • medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine
  • medicine to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin
  • bupropion (medicine to treat depression)
  • digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
  • blood thinning medicines e.g. clopidogrel, ticlopidine
  • medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Thiotepa.

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.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Avoid alcohol.
How should I store this medicine?
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.

As Thiotepa is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired vials to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal
This information is independently developed by MIMS based on thiotepa - parenteral and is provided for your reference only. It is not a replacement for and should only be used in conjunction with full consultation with a licensed healthcare professional, the information provided by your pharmacist and/or the manufacturer of the medication. It may not contain all the available information you require and cannot substitute professional medical care, nor does it take into account all individual circumstances. Although great effort has been made to ensure content accuracy, we shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims or damages arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein, its contents or omissions, or otherwise. Copyright © 2024 MIMS. All rights reserved. Powered by MIMS.com
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