Details

Temozolomide interferes with the development of cancer cells, slowing their growth and spread in the body. Temozolomide is used together with radiation therapy to treat certain types of brain tumour in adults. Temozolomide is usually given after other cancer medicines have been tried without success. To make sure temozolomide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or kidney disease. Do not use temozolomide if you are pregnant. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving temozolomide, whether you are a man or a woman. Temozolomide use by either parent may cause birth defects.

Typical Uses

Temozolomide is used to treat certain types of brain cancer. It is a chemotherapy drug that works by slowing cancer cell growth. In some patients, temozolomide decreases the size of brain tumours. This medication may also be used to treat other types of cancer (such as bone cancer).

Side Effects

Common temozolomide side effects may include seizure (convulsions) fever, chills, 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, pain when swallowing, 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-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drug Interactions

• Temozolomide+adalimumab- Using adalimumab together with temozolomide may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Temozolomide+clozapine- Using clozapine together with temozolomide is not recommended. Clozapine can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as temozolomide may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.
• Temozolomide+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as temozolomide may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.
• Temozolomide+leflunomide- Using leflunomide together with temozolomide may increase the risk of serious infections. Rarely, these medications may also cause liver damage. Because leflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it.

Mechanism of action

Temozolomide is an antitumor drug and belongs to a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body.

Pregnancy Category : D