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| Pronunciation |
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 (te
mo ZOLE oh
mide) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Temodar® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antineoplastic Agent, Alkylating Agent |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to temozolomide, dacarbazine, or any other part
of the medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat certain types of cancer in the
brain.
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| How does it work? |
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- Temozolomide may change cancer cells growth. It has slowed the growth
in some cases and may decrease the size of the tumor in some
patients.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Take with a whole glass of water.
- Take at a similar time everyday for 5 days in a 28-day period or
follow healthcare provider's directions.
- Directions may change from month to month depending on blood work
results, side effects, and response to medicine.
- If you are having problems with nausea, take at
bedtime.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- If you are 70 or older or female, you may have more side effects.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen, or like
products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine. Men taking this medicine should
prevent their partner from getting pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help. Talk with healthcare provider about another
medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting.
- Headache.
- Feeling tired and weak.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood work (usually done twice a month). Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Severe nausea or vomiting.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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