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Temodar (temozolomide) is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body in the body.
Temodar is used together with radiation therapy to treat certain types of brain tumor in adults.
Temodar is usually given after other cancer medicines have been tried without success.
You should not take Temodar if you are allergic to temozolomide or to another cancer medication called dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome). Before taking Temodar, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.
Do not use Temodar if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Do not open a capsule, or use a pill that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a crushed or broken pill can be dangerous if you accidentally inhale it, or if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken tablet or capsule.
Temodar is often given together with radiation treatment, and then continued for several weeks or months after radiation treatment ends. There may be periods of time when you will take Temodar for only a few days in a row and then wait another 2 to 4 weeks before you start a new treatment cycle and take it again. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. The size, color, and number of Temodar capsules you take may be different from time to time as your doctor adjusts your dose. Be sure you know the correct number of capsules to take and on which days to take them. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Taking temozolomide may increase your risk of developing certain types of bone marrow cancer. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
You should not take Temodar if you are allergic to temozolomide or to another cancer medication called dacarbazine (DTIC).
To make sure Temodar is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
liver disease; or
kidney disease.
Using Temodar may increase your risk of developing certain types of bone marrow cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Temodar if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving Temodar, whether you are a man or a woman. Temozolomide use by either parent may cause birth defects.
It is not known whether temozolomide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Take Temodar exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Temodar is given in a 28-day treatment cycle, and you may only need to take the medicine during the first few days of each cycle.
If you are also receiving radiation treatment, you may need to take temozolomide for 6 to 7 weeks in a row during your first treatment cycle. Then you may be switched to a 28-day maintenance treatment cycle.
Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with Temodar. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. The size, color, and number of Temodar capsules you take may sometimes be different from earlier treatment cycles. Be sure you know the correct number of capsules to take and on which days to take them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take all of your capsules for the day (one entire daily dose) at the same time on each dosing day of a treatment cycle. Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water.
Take this medicine at the same time each day.
You may need to take Temodar at bedtime or on an empty stomach if the medicine upsets your stomach.
If you vomit shortly after taking the medicine, do not take another capsule until your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not open a capsule. Do not use a broken pill. The medicine from an open or broken capsule can be dangerous if it gets in your mouth or nose, or on your skin. If this occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken tablet or capsule.
You may be given medication to prevent nausea or other side effects while you are receiving Temodar.
Tell your doctor if you have any changes in height or weight. Temozolomide doses are based on body surface area (height and weight), and any changes may affect your dose.
Temozolomide can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.
You may also need blood tests to check your liver function during treatment and for 2 to 4 weeks after you stop using this medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Temodar.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.
This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.
Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Temodar: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
a seizure (convulsions);
sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath;
easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
low white blood cell counts - fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing; or
liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Temodar side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
bruising, skin rash;
loss of movement on one side of the body;
diarrhea, constipation;
headache, tired feeling, memory problems;
dizziness, weakness, loss of coordination;
sleep problems (insomnia);
low white blood cell counts (fever, flu symptoms); or
hair loss.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Temodar, especially:
steroid medicine (dexamethasone, prednisone, and others); or
valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with temozolomide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Temodar only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Temodar (www.drugs.com/temodar.html).
Note: This document contains side effect information about temozolomide. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Temodar.
Common side effects of Temodar include: leukopenia. Other side effects include: decreased hemoglobin. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to temozolomide: oral capsule
Other dosage forms:
Along with its needed effects, temozolomide (the active ingredient contained in Temodar) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking temozolomide:
Less common or rare
Incidence not known
Some side effects of temozolomide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common or rare
Applies to temozolomide: intravenous powder for injection, oral capsule
Very common (10% or more): Constipation (Up to 33%), nausea (Up to 53%), vomiting (Up to 42%), diarrhea (16%)
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomatitis, taste perversion, dysphagia, dyspepsia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal distension, fecal incontinence, gastrointestinal disorder, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids
The most common side effects were alopecia, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, headache, and constipation.
Very common (10% or more): Headache (Up to 41%), convulsions (Up to 23%), hemiparesis (18%), abnormal coordination (11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, confusion, memory impairment, amnesia, paresthesia, somnolence, paresis, urinary incontinence, ataxia, abnormal gait, neuropathy, balance impairment, speech disorder, tremors, hemiparesis
Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema (11%)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitation
Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (Up to 61%), asthenia (13%), fever (13%)
Common (1% to 10%): Weakness, radiation injury, face edema, pain, hearing impairment
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Otitis media, tinnitus, hyperacusis, earache, deafness, vertigo, impotence, vaginal hemorrhage, menorrhagia, amenorrhea, vaginitis, breast pain
Common (1% to 10%): Adrenal hypercorticism
Common (1% to 10%): Cough, dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, sinusitis
Post-marketing surveillance: Interstitial pneumonitis, pneumonitis, alveolitis, pulmonary fibrosis
A case of diffuse erythematous skin rash that progressed to an extensive full body desquamative skin rash has been reported. Even though temozolomide (the active ingredient contained in Temodar) was permanently discontinued, the patient continued to experience the rash on a long-term basis with periodic exacerbations.
Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (55 to 69%), rash (13 to 19%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dry skin, erythema, pruritus, petechiae
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Photosensitivity reaction, abnormal pigmentation, sweating increased
Post-marketing surveillance: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, anxiety, depression
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, apathy, behavior disorder, hallucination, amnesia
Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (19 to 27%)
Common (1% to 10%): Weight increase, weight decrease, hyperglycemia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypokalemia
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain
Common (1% to 10%): Vision blurred, diplopia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hemianopia, visual acuity reduced, vision disorder, visual field defect, eye pain, dry eyes
Common (1% to 10%): Infection, Herpes simplex, wound infection, candidiasis oral
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Herpes zoster, influenza-like symptoms
Post-marketing surveillance: Opportunistic infections including Pneumocystis pneumonia
Post-marketing surveillance: Secondary malignancies including myeloid leukemia
Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, febrile neutropenia, anemia
Post-marketing surveillance: Prolonged pancytopenia, myelodysplastic syndrome
Common (1% to 10%): ALT increased
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic enzymes increased, Gamma GT increased, AST increased
Post-marketing surveillance: Fatal and severe hepatotoxicity, elevation of liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia, cholestasis, hepatitis
Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, micturition increased frequency
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysuria
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Temodar (www.drugs.com/temodar.html).
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