Health Centres - Temodal
How does it work?
Temodal capsules contain the active ingredient temozolomide, which is a chemotherapy medicine used to treat brain tumours.
Cancers form when some cells within the body multiply uncontrollably and abnormally. These cells spread, destroying nearby tissues. Temozolamide works by stopping the cancer cells from multiplying. It does this by binding to and damaging the DNA (genetic material) in the cancer cells. This stops the cells from growing and multiplying.
Unfortunately, temozolamide can also affect normal, healthy cells, particularly those that multiply quickly, such as blood cells and hair cells. The most important side effect is on the bone marrow where blood cells are made. Temozolamide can decrease the production of blood cells, leaving people susceptible to infection. Regular blood tests are therefore needed to monitor the levels of blood cells.
In most chemotherapy regimens, doses are administered in courses with intervals between to allow normal cells to recover from the adverse effects of the anticancer medicines between doses. However, during this period, cancer cells will also recover and start to replicate again. Successful treatment depends on the administration of the next course of therapy before the cancer has regrown to its previous size and the net effect is to decrease the amount of cancer with each successive course.
What is it used for?
- Certain types of brain tumours (glioblastoma multiforme, anaplastic astrocytoma)
Warning!
- Do not open the capsules. If a capsule is damaged, avoid contact of the powder with your skin, eyes or nose. Avoid inhaling the powder. If you accidentally get some in your eyes or nose, rinse the area with water.
- If you vomit after taking a dose of this medicine you should not take a second dose the same day. If this medicine makes you vomit frequently you should talk to your doctor about taking medicines that can control this.
- This medicine may cause fatigue and sleepiness, which may affect your ability to perform potentially hazardous tasks. If affected you should avoid driving or operating machinary.
- Chemotherapy medicines can decrease the number of blood cells in your blood. A low white blood cell count can increase your susceptibility to infections; a low red blood cell count causes anaemia and a low platelet count can cause problems with blood clotting. For this reason, you will need regular blood tests to monitor your blood cells during treatment with this medicine. Depending on the results, your doctor may need to alter your dose from time to time. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms during your treatment, as they may indicate problems with your blood cells: unexplained bruising or bleeding, purple spots, sore mouth or throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever) or other signs of infection, or suddenly feeling tired, breathless, or generally unwell.
- This medicine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Women who could get pregnant should use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine.
- Men should be aware that this medicine may cause damage to sperm that could result in infertility. You should talk to your doctor about this before starting treatment, and discuss the option of storing sperm samples before treatment for use at a later date. During treatment, and for six months following treatment, you should use effective contraception to avoid fathering a child.
- This medicine could also affect women's ability to become pregnant. It is important to discuss fertility with your doctor before starting treatment.
- The manufacturer of this medicine states that they have no clinical experience with this medicine in children under three years of age, and experience in older children is very limited.
Use with caution in
- Elderly people
- People with other severely debilitating diseases or infection
- Severely decreased kidney function
- Severely decreased liver function
- Rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption (Temodal capsules contain lactose).
Not to be used in
- Allergy to the medicine dacarbazine (DTIC)
- Severe myelosuppression (reduction in blood cell production in the bone marrow)
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Pregnancy
-
Breastfeeding
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should not be used during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Women who could get pregnant should use an effective method of contraception to prevent pregnancy, and men should use effective contraception to avoid fathering a child, both while taking this medicine and for at least a few months after treatment is finished. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding women because of the potential harm it may cause to nursing infants. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- Take this medication half to one hour before food.
- This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.
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