cancer tumors. TEMODAR blocks cell growth, especially cells that grow fast, such as cancer cells. TEMODAR may decrease the size of certain brain tumors in some patients.
It is not known if TEMODAR is safe and effective in children.
Who should not take TEMODAR?
Do not take TEMODAR if you:
◦have had an allergic reaction to dacarbazine (DTIC), another cancer medicine.
◦have had a red itchy rash, or a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling of the face, throat, or tongue, or severe skin reaction to TEMODAR or any of the ingredients in TEMODAR. If you are not sure, ask your doctor. See the end of the leaflet for a list of ingredients in TEMODAR.
What should I tell my doctor before taking TEMODAR?
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:
◦are allergic to dacarbazine (DTIC) or have had a severe allergic reaction to TEMODAR. See "Who should not take TEMODAR?"
◦have kidney problems
◦have liver problems
◦are pregnant. See "What is the most important information I should know about TEMODAR?"
◦are breast-feeding. It is not known whether TEMODAR passes into breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will breast-feed or take TEMODAR. You should not do both without talking with your doctor.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take a medicine that contains valproic acid (Stavzor® , Depakene®).
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take TEMODAR?
TEMODAR may be taken by mouth as a capsule at home, or you may receive TEMODAR by injection into a vein (intravenous). Your doctor will decide the best way for you to take TEMODAR.
There are two common dosing schedules for taking TEMODAR.
◦Some people take TEMODAR for 42 days in a row (possibly 49 days depending on side effects) with radiation treatment. This is one cycle of treatment. After this, you may have "maintenance" treatment. Your doctor may prescribe 6 more cycles of TEMODAR. For each of these cycles, you take TEMODAR one time each day for 5 days in a row and then you stop taking it for the next 23 days. This is a 28-day maintenance treatment cycle.
◦Another way to take TEMODAR is to take it one time each day for 5 days in a row only, and then you stop taking it for the next 23 days. This is one cycle of treatment (28 days). Your doctor will watch your progress on TEMODAR and decide how long you should take it. You might take TEMODAR until your tumor gets worse or for possibly up to 2 years.
◦Your dose is based on your height and weight, and the number of treatment cycles will depend on how you respond to and tolerate this treatment.
◦Your doctor may modify your schedule based on how you tolerate the treatment.
◦If your doctor prescribes a treatment regimen that is different from the information in this leaflet, make sure you follow the specific instructions given to you by your doctor.
TEMODAR Capsules:
◦Take TEMODAR Capsules exactly as prescribed.
◦TEMODAR Capsules come in different strengths. Each strength has a different color cap. Your doctor may prescribe more than one strength of TEMODAR Capsules for you, so it is important that you understand how to take your medicine the right way. Be sure that |
