• What is Temozolomide used for?
Temozolomide is prescribed for the treatment of brain tumour known as malignant (cancerous) glioma.
Dosage forms & Strength :-
Temozolomide 20 mg. Capsule for oral use.
Temozolomide 100 mg. Capsule for oral use.
Temozolomide 250 mg. Capsule for oral use.
What is Temozolomide used for :-
Temozolomide is an anti-cancer medicine or a type of chemotherapy. Temozolomide is used for treatment of certain types of brain tumour known as malignant (cancerous) glioma.
Malignant glioma includes glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma.
Temozolomide Dosage :-
Temozolomide is a prescription medicine.
Take Temozolomide properly as your doctor tells you to take it.
Temozolomide take one time in a day. You must have Temozolomide at the same time daily.
You have to swallow the Temozolomide whole with a glass of water with an empty stomach. For example, you can take the Temozolomide an hour before you have to eat a meal.
Don't cut, crush, or chew the Temozolomide.
What are the side effects of Temozolomide?
Side effects may vary from person to person. They also depend on what other treatments you are having. For example, your side effects may be worse if you are also taking other medicines or radiotherapy.
Common side effects of Temozolomide :
• Increased risk of infection,
• Bruising, bleeding gums or nose bleeds,
• Loss of appetite,
• Headache,
• Feeling and being sick,
• Constipation,
• Diarrhoea
• Tiredness,
• Weakness on one side of your body,
• Hair loss,
• Skin rash.
These are not all the possible side effects of Temozolomide. Consult your doctor and if you have any new or worsening side effects.
How Temozolomide Works :-
Temozolomide is a alkylating agents. Temozolomide works by obstructing cancer cells from making DNA. DNA stands for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid, the genetic material of a cell. If the cancer cells can not make DNA, they can not rupture into 2 new cells, so the cancer could not grow.
Thus, Temozolomide treats the brain tumour known as malignant (cancerous) glioma.
Precautions & Warnings :-
• You should have blood tests before and during treatment with Temozolomide. Check the amount of blood cells and other substances in your blood. It also checks how well your liver and kidneys are working.
• Inform your doctor as soon as possible if you have signs of infection, involving a temperature above 37.5°C or below 36°C.
• Temozolomide can interact with some other medicines and herbal products. Inform your doctor about any medicines you are taking such as, vitamins, herbal supplements & also over the counter medicine/ remedies.
• Temozolomide can harm the unborn baby. Do not become pregnant while you are having treatment with Temozolomide and for at least 6 months after it. Consult your doctor about adjuvant contraception before starting treatment with Temozolomide.
• Loss of fertility :
You can not be able to become pregnant or father a child after treatment with this drug. Inform to your doctor before begining treatment if you think you want to have a baby in the future.
Men may be able to store sperm before starting treatment. And women can be able to store eggs or ovarian tissue. But these services are not available in every hospital, so you can need to ask your doctor about this.
• Breastfeeding:
Do not breastfeed during this treatment because the Temozolomide can come through into your breast milk.
• Immunisations:
Do not have immunisations with live vaccines while you are having treatment and for up to 12 months afterwards. The length of time depends on the treatment you are taking. Consult your doctor how long you should avoid live vaccinations.
• Hepatitis B : Inform your doctor if you have ever had hepatitis B. Temozolomide may cause reactivation of hepatitis B. If this happens, your doctor may examine you during your treatment.
• Driving or operating machinery :
Do not drive or operate machinery or tools if you have side effects like dizziness, tiredness, sleepiness or blurred vision.