Temodar and Brain Tumors
We have designed this handout to serve as a resource for you while you are taking Temodar® also known as temozolomide. It will explain how it is taken, side effects you may have, and how to deal with side effects.
What is Temodar®and how will I get it?
- It is a chemotherapy drug given as a pill. Chemotherapy is a group of drugs used to fight cancer. It affects cells that grow quickly, but it can also affect some of your normal cells.
- You will take the medicine either for 5 days every month or daily with radiation. Your doctor will instruct you on when to take it.
- You will see your doctor midway through radiation treatment, so he or she can check your blood tests and examine you.
- Once you’ve completed radiation, you will see the doctor monthly. You will have lab work done before each visit. Your doctor will also prescribe the next round of Temodar® at this visit. Some of these visits involve an MRI scan of your head to check the tumor. This is called the maintenance phase.
How do I take the Temodar®?
- When Temodar® is taken along with radiation, it is given daily (at a lower dose). Once the treatments are finished, you will change to taking Temodar® five days a month.
- After radiation therapy is over, you will take the medicine for five (5) days in a row. That means that there will be three weeks in each month where you will not take the medicine.
- If you are on a clinical trial or have recurrence of your tumor, you may have a different schedule. Your doctor will tell you how to take your Temodar®.
There are very specific instructions about how and when to take Temodar®.
- You should always take Temodar® right before you go to bed, unless directed otherwise.
- It should be taken on an empty stomach. This means you shouldn’t eat anything for an hour before or two hours after you take it.
- It is important NOT to open or split the capsules. Temodar® should be swallowed whole with water and NEVER chewed.
- One hour before taking it you should take your anti-nausea medicine. We may also instruct you to take the anti-nausea medicine the next morning.
- You will be given a calendar that will describe what time of the day and which days to take the Temodar®. It will also tell you when to take the anti-nausea medicine.
- If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or nurse. DO NOT make up the missed dose by taking a double dose.
What are the side effects?
- The side effects you have depend on your health, your body, and how you respond.
- Some people have very few side effects, but others have more.
- These are only things to watch for. It does not mean that you will have all of these side effects.
- It is important to let your health care team know about any problems you are having. There are many things that can be done to help you.
What are the major side effects of Temodar®?
- Nausea – You have been given an anti-nausea medicine. It is very important that you take it as prescribed. If it is taken as ordered, it is rare for people to have nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, people say they feel “funny” or “have a slightly upset stomach” the first few days. This feeling often lessens by the end of the cycle. It occurs less often the more cycles you take of the Temodar®. Again, everyone does not respond the same way. If you have symptoms that are not controlled with the medicines, ask your doctor or nurse for advice.
Food may taste “funny” or you may not be as hungry for a few days during or after your treatment. This is okay. It is not okay if you can’t keep liquids down. Be sure to call your doctor or nurse if you are not able to drink water or other fluids.
While taking Temodar® you should avoid alcohol. You should not drive.
It only takes 20 minutes to absorb the Temodar® on an empty stomach. If nausea happens, it most often occurs a few hours after taking it. If you vomit within half an hour (30 minutes) of taking Temodar®, tell your doctor by calling the next day. DO NOT take another dose.
- Constipation – You will receive handouts that discuss how to treat and prevent constipation. Constipation is a major concern while taking Temodar®. We suggest you have a laxative and stool softener in the house in case you need one.
Many people have mild constipation while taking Temodar® with radiation. The major time for concern is the week you are taking it during the maintenance phase, due to the higher dose of Temodar® and for a few days afterward.
If you have constipation during radiation or during any monthly cycle of Temodar®, we suggest you begin a bowel program a few days before starting each cycle. Follow this program for a few days after each cycle.
If you are someone who has problems with constipation or irregular bowel patterns, we suggest you begin a bowel program now. Keep doing it during the entire course of radiation and monthly while you are taking the Temodar®.
If your stool becomes firmer or hard, start a stool softener. If you don’t have a bowel movement, begin laxatives. See the provided handouts for suggestions and choices. REMINDER: we want you to have daily bowel movements.
Your nurse or doctor will discuss with you what a bowel program is. They will help set one up that will work for you. If your program isn’t as effective as you would like or need, please discuss this with them so it can be changed.
- Fatigue – Many patients find they are able to carry on a normal routine while taking Temodar®. If fatigue occurs, it most often occurs during radiation or near the end of the treatment cycle and a few days after. Many people find that moderate exercise, frequent smaller meals, and regular sleep and rest periods can help relieve fatigue. If the fatigue becomes a bother or is stopping you from doing the things you are used to doing, discuss your concerns with your doctor or nurse. We have suggestions and handouts to help you deal with fatigue.
- Lower blood counts – While you are on Temodar® you are at a greater risk of getting infections. This is because of the drug’s effect on your white blood cells. When your white cell count is low it is called neutropenia. To watch for this, you will have blood drawn. We will be watching your blood tests closely and will let you know if there are any concerns. If you are taking Temodar® 5 days out of the month, the blood count may decrease about 3-4 weeks after taking the drug. If you are taking it daily with radiotherapy, this decrease may occur between weeks 3 and 6 of your treatments. You will always have blood drawn the day before or the same day you come to see the doctor.
If you need dental work or surgery, please let your doctor know. A lowered white cell count will increase your chance of getting an infection.
- Headache – Headaches are a very rare side effect. If you have a severe headache while on Temodar®, it is most likely not caused by the Temodar®. It may be a sign of brain edema or swelling. Be sure to discuss these headaches with your doctor. She or he may prescribe something to treat them. We suggest you use Tylenol®. Do not use ibuprofen or aspirin.
- Rash – Rarely, some people taking Temodar® get a rash. This occurs more often if you are not taking a steroid (dexamethasone or Decadron®). If you notice a rash, please tell your doctor.
- Use with other medicines - Temodar® most likely will not react with any other medicines you take. You should not add any new medicines while taking the Temodar® unless you discuss them with your doctor. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist know all the things you are taking. Be sure you tell your doctor about any herbal supplements or vitamins, too. Herbal supplements and vitamins need to be considered medicines. Many times we do not know the interactions between herbal supplements, vitamins, and Temodar®. It is important you list them each time you are asked about your medicines.
Please make a list of your medicines and how much of each you are taking. Bring this list along with you to each doctor visit. This prevents you and your doctors from “guessing” how much you are taking. It also allows the doctor to adjust your doses.
We ask that you bring in the pill bottles for each visit. Do not leave them in the car. We want to look at the bottles of medicines you are taking. This includes the bottle for the Temodar® and the anti-nausea medicine, even if they are empty.
If you have new or changing symptoms while taking the Temodar® tell your doctor or nurse about them.
- Hair Loss – Hair loss is very rare with this treatment. If you are taking Temodar® along with other chemotherapy or radiation, there may be hair loss. It is most often due to one of those treatments.
- Sexuality and Fertility - Temodar® should have no effect on sex drive. You should be able to have sexual relations with your partner. Temodar® can cause birth defects. Birth control must be used while you are taking it. You need to keep using birth control for several months after treatment stops. Females should avoid getting pregnant. Women should not breastfeed while taking this drug. Males may want to consult your doctor about banking your sperm before treatment.
If your platelets or white blood cells are low, you may need to avoid intercourse until blood counts return to normal. We will let you know if this is a concern.
Talk with your partner about how the treatment and having a brain tumor affects you. You may have changes in sexual desire during this time.
How will I pay for Temodar®treatment?
Many insurers, including Medicare, will cover the cost of it. If you have financial need beyond what insurance covers, Schering Corporation (the manufacturer of Temodar®) has a “Commitment to Care” program. This service can help you find other sources of reimbursement. You can contact them by calling 1-800-521-7157.
The pharmacists at the UW are here to help, and may have more resources. Please discuss your medicine concerns with them as well.
If you have financial, insurance, or work related concerns beyond medicines, please ask your doctor or nurse to set up an appointment for you to meet with a social worker.
Other Resources:
There are many groups that help people with brain tumors cope with their diagnosis. They can also be very good sources of information. A few of them are listed below:
American Brain Tumor Association
1-800-886-2282
www.abta.org
American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345
www.cancer.org
The Brain Tumor Society
1-800-770-8287
www.tbts.org
National Brain Tumor Foundation
1-800-934-CURE
www.braintumor.org
Patient Advocate Foundation
1-800-532-5274
www.patientadvocate.org
The UW Comprehensive Cancer Center also offers
Adult Brain Tumor Support Group.
Ask your nurse to learn more about this group. It meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the UW hospital.
What happens if I have questions or problems?
While you are having treatments you will see your doctor or nurse monthly. If you have any questions at any time between visits, please contact your doctor or nurse. If you receive radiation, you will be seeing a doctor weekly.
If you need help after hours or on weekends call 608-262-0486. This is the paging operator.
- If you are receiving radiotherapy (radiation) along with your Temodar® ask for the Radiation Oncology resident on call.
- If you are receiving Temodar® alone(no radiation) ask for the Oncology resident on call. Tell them you are a patient of Dr. __________.
Give the operator your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live outside of the area, you can call toll-free by dialing 1-800-323-8942for the paging operator.
Don’t forget
Bring all your pill bottles. This includes the empty Temodar® and anti-nausea medicine bottles. Do not leave them in the car. The doctor will want to look at all of the bottles. This includes any bottles of herbal and vitamin supplements.
Constipation is a major concern. You need to make sure to follow your bowel program. Have all the medicines you need in the house to begin the bowel program when needed and a few days before each Temodar® cycle if you have constipation during any treatment cycle.
We are here to help. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 04/11/2008
Copyright © 04/11/2008 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6101
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