| Temozolomide | 246.000000000000 | Temozolomide | Temozolomide | T | English | Pharmacy | NA | NA | NA | Drugs and Supplements | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2011-03-04T05:00:00Z | | | | | | 7.40000000000000 | 64.7000000000000 | 1147.00000000000 | | Drugs (A-Z) | Drug A-Z | <p>Your child needs to take the medicine called temozolomide. This information sheet explains what temozolomide does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine.</p> | <p>Your child needs to take the medicine called temozolomide (say: te-me-ZOLE-oh-mide). This information sheet explains what temozolomide does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine. </p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>What is temozolomide?</h2>
<p>Temozolomide is a medicine that is used to kill cancer cells. It stops the cells from dividing and making new cells. </p>
<p>You may hear temozolomide called by its brand name, Temodal. Temozolomide comes in a capsule form.</p> | | <h2>How should you give your child this medicine?</h2>
<p>Follow these instructions when giving your child temozolomide:</p>
<ul>
<li>
Give this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
</li><li>
Give this medicine at the same time each day.
</li><li>
Give the dose that was decided by your child's doctor. Your child may be given capsules of more than one strength to make the right dose. Be sure you understand the directions.
</li><li>
Give this medicine with food or on an empty stomach with a glass of water or juice. Give it the same way each time, either with food, or always without food.
</li><li>
Give the capsule(s) to your child whole and have your child swallow them.
</li><li>
If your child cannot swallow the capsule, speak with your child's nurse, doctor, or pharmacist. They will give you special instructions for giving your child temozolomide safely.
</li><li>
Temozolomide may sometimes cause stomach upset. Giving it with food or at bedtime may help prevent stomach upset. Your child may be given medicine to prevent upset stomach and throwing up caused by temozolomide. </li></ul> | <h2>What should you do if your child misses a dose?</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
</li><li>
If it is within 12 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
</li><li>
Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.</li></ul>
<h2>What should you do if your child throws up a dose?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Your child's nurse, doctor, or pharmacist will tell you what you should do if your child throws up the medicine.</li></ul> | | <h2>What are the possible side effects of this medicine?</h2>
<p>Your child may have some of these side effects while they take temozolomide. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away or they bother your child: </p>
<ul>
<li>
upset stomach or throwing up
</li><li>
stomach pain or gas
</li><li>
watery bowel movements (diarrhea)
</li><li>
trouble having a bowel movement (constipation)
</li><li>
tiredness, low energy
</li><li>
headache</li></ul>
<p>Call your child's doctor during office hours if child has any of these side effects:</p>
<ul>
<li>
skin rash or itching
</li><li>
unusual tiredness or weakness?</li></ul>
<h3>Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. </h3>
<p>Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to the Emergency Department if your child has any of these side effects: </p>
<ul>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising
</li><li>
blood in the urine or in the bowel movement
</li><li>
signs of infection such as a fever, chills, a sore throat, a cough or hoarse voice, or pain when urinating
</li><li>
pain in the lower back or side
</li><li>
problems breathing
</li><li>
chest pain
</li><li>
feeling dizzy or lightheaded
</li><li>
severe weakness in muscles or paralysis (difficulty moving)
</li><li>
seizures (convulsions), memory loss, or loss of consciousness</li></ul> | <h2>What safety measures should you take when your child is using this medicine?</h2>
<p>Temozolomide can lower the number of white blood cells temporarily, which increases your child's chances of getting an infection. </p>
<p>You can take the following precautions to prevent infections:</p>
<ul>
<li>
Avoid people with infections, such as a cold or the flu.
</li><li>
Avoid places that are very crowded, with large groups of people.
</li><li>
Be careful when brushing or flossing your child's teeth. Your doctor, nurse, or dentist may suggest different ways to clean your child's mouth and teeth.
</li><li>
You or your child shouldn't touch your child's eyes or inside of their nose without washing hands first.
</li><li>
Your child's nurse will review with you what to do in case of fever.</li></ul>
<p>Temozolomide can lower the number of platelets in the blood, which increases your child's risk of bleeding. You can take the following precautions: </p>
<ul>
<li>
Be careful not to cut your child when using a razor, fingernail scissors, or toenail clippers.
</li><li>
Your child should avoid contact sports where bruising or injury could occur.
</li><li>
Before your child has surgery, including dental surgery, inform the doctor or dentist that your child is taking temozolomide.
</li><li>
Your child should not receive a permanent tattoo or any kind of body piercing.</li></ul>
<h3>Vaccines</h3>
<p>Your child should not receive any immunizations (vaccines) without your child's doctor's approval. Your child or anyone else in your household should not get oral polio vaccine while your child is being treated for cancer. Tell your child's doctor if anyone in your household has recently received oral polio vaccine. Your child should avoid contact with anyone who has recently received this vaccine. </p>
<h3>Fertility</h3>
<p>There is a chance that temozolomide may cause birth defects if it is taken at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. If your child is sexually active, it is best that they use some kind of birth control while receiving temozolomide. Tell the doctor right away if your child may be pregnant. </p>
<p>After receiving temozolomide your child may not be able to have children or have more difficulty having children. Your child's doctor will discuss this in more detail with you/your child. </p>
<h3>Drug interactions</h3>
<p>Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products). </p> | <h2>What other important information should you know?</h2><ul><li>Keep a list of all medications your child is taking and show this list to the doctor or pharmacist.</li><li>Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.</li><li>Make sure you always have enough temozolomide to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills. </li><li>Keep temozolomide at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.</li><li>Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.<br></li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/ICO_DrugA-Z.png | Temozolomide | Temozolomide | False | | | | | | | | |
