Temozolomide
Temozolomide Glenmark contains the active substance temozolomide. This medicine is an anti-cancer medicine.
Temozolomide Glenmark is used to treat certain types of brain tumors:
if you have a severely reduced number of certain blood cells (due to bone marrow suppression), such as white blood cells or platelets. These cells are important for fighting infections and for blood clotting. Your doctor will check your blood before starting treatment to make sure that you have a sufficient number of these cells.
Before taking Temozolomide Glenmark, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if:
Temozolomide Glenmark should not be given to children under 3 years of age, as there is limited experience with the use of this medicine in this age group.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking or have recently taken, and about any medicines you plan to take.
If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. You should not take Temozolomide Glenmark during pregnancy unless your doctor has specifically advised you to do so.
Women who are able to become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment with Temozolomide Glenmark and for at least 6 months after the end of treatment. You should stop breastfeeding while taking Temozolomide Glenmark.
Temozolomide Glenmark may cause permanent infertility. Male patients taking Temozolomide Glenmark should use effective contraception and not father a child during treatment and for at least 3 months after the end of treatment. It is recommended that patients consult their doctor to discuss the preservation of sperm before starting treatment.
While taking Temozolomide Glenmark, you may feel tired or sleepy. You should not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you (see section 4).
Temozolomide Glenmark contains lactose (a type of sugar). If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, you should contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per capsule, which is essentially sodium-free.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Dose and duration of treatment
Your doctor will prescribe the dose of Temozolomide Glenmark that is right for you. The dose will be based on your body size (height and weight) and whether you have had chemotherapy before. To prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting, your doctor may prescribe other medicines (anti-emetic medicines) to be taken before and/or after taking Temozolomide Glenmark.
Patient with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme:
Treatment is given in two phases:
During the concomitant phase, your doctor will start you on a dose of 75 mg/m² body surface area (the usual dose) of Temozolomide Glenmark. You will take this dose every day for 42 days (up to 49 days) with radiotherapy. Depending on your blood test results and how you tolerate the medicine during the concomitant phase, your doctor may delay or stop treatment with Temozolomide Glenmark. After radiotherapy is completed, there will be a 4-week break to allow you to recover. Then, the monotherapy phase will begin.
During the monotherapy phase, Temozolomide Glenmark is given at a different dose and schedule. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you. You may receive up to 6 cycles of treatment. Each cycle lasts 28 days. You will take Temozolomide Glenmark once a day for the first 5 days of each cycle ("dosing days").
How to take Temozolomide Glenmark
Take the prescribed dose of Temozolomide Glenmark once a day, at the same time each day.
Take the capsules on an empty stomach; for example, at least one hour before you plan to eat breakfast. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water. Do not open, crush, or chew the capsules. If a capsule is damaged, avoid contact with the contents and wash your hands thoroughly. If the contents of the capsule come into contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth, wash the area with water.
| Dose | Color of the cap |
| Temozolomide Glenmark, 5 mg, hard capsules | green |
| Temozolomide Glenmark, 20 mg, hard capsules | orange |
| Temozolomide Glenmark, 100 mg, hard capsules | purple |
| Temozolomide Glenmark, 140 mg, hard capsules | blue |
| Temozolomide Glenmark, 180 mg, hard capsules | chocolate-brown |
| Temozolomide Glenmark, 250 mg, hard capsules | white |
You must be sure that you understand and remember the following information:
Before each new cycle, you should receive information from your doctor about how to take the medicine, as the dose may be different from the previous cycle.
Temozolomide Glenmark should always be taken as directed by your doctor. It is very important to contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts. Mistakes in the way you take the medicine can have serious consequences for your health.
If you accidentally take more capsules of Temozolomide Glenmark than your doctor has prescribed, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse immediately.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember on the same day. If the missed dose is not taken until the next day, consult your doctor. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose unless your doctor tells you to do so.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
You should immediatelycontact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Temozolomide Glenmark may cause a reduction in the number of certain types of blood cells. This can lead to an increased risk of bleeding or bruising, anemia (reduced number of red blood cells), fever, and a reduced ability to fight infections.
The reduction in blood cells is usually temporary. In some cases, it may be prolonged and lead to a very severe form of anemia (aplastic anemia). Your doctor will regularly check your blood and decide if any treatment is needed. In some cases, it may be necessary to reduce the dose or stop treatment.
If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
Side effects can be reported to the national reporting system listed in the "Further information" section.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard.
Accidental ingestion of the medicine can be fatal to a child.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and the carton after "EXP" and on the carton after "Expiry Date". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Blister
Temozolomide Glenmark, 5 mg and 20 mg: Store below 25°C.
Temozolomide Glenmark, 100 mg, 140 mg, 180 mg, 250 mg: Store below 30°C.
Tell your pharmacist about any changes in the appearance of the capsules.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is temozolomide.
The other ingredients are:
capsule contents: lactose, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium starch glycolate (Type A), tartaric acid, stearic acid
capsule shell, size 0
Temozolomide Glenmark, 5 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171), yellow iron oxide (E 172), indigo carmine (E 132)
Temozolomide Glenmark, 20 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171), red iron oxide (E 172), yellow iron oxide (E 172)
Temozolomide Glenmark, 100 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171), red iron oxide (E 172), indigo carmine (E 132)
Temozolomide Glenmark, 140 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171), indigo carmine (E 132)
Temozolomide Glenmark, 180 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171), red iron oxide (E 172), black iron oxide (E 172), yellow iron oxide (E 172)
Temozolomide Glenmark, 250 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171)
Printing ink
Black ink: shellac, macrogol, concentrated ammonia solution, potassium hydroxide, iron oxide black (E172)
Temozolomide Glenmark, 5 mg: hard gelatin capsules, size 0, with a green cap and white body. The body is printed with the number 5 in black ink.
Temozolomide Glenmark, 20 mg: hard gelatin capsules, size 0, with an orange cap and white body. The body is printed with the number 20 in black ink.
Temozolomide Glenmark, 100 mg: hard gelatin capsules, size 0, with a purple cap and white body. The body is printed with the number 100 in black ink.
Temozolomide Glenmark, 140 mg: hard gelatin capsules, size 0, with a blue cap and white body. The body is printed with the number 140 in black ink.
Temozolomide Glenmark, 180 mg: hard gelatin capsules, size 0, with a chocolate-brown cap and white body. The body is printed with the number 180 in black ink.
Temozolomide Glenmark, 250 mg: hard gelatin capsules, size 0, with a white cap and white body. The body is printed with the number 250 in black ink.
Blister pack
Blister pack of paper/PVDC/Aluminum and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer. Each blister pack contains 1 hard capsule. The blister packs are packed in a cardboard box. The cardboard box contains 5 hard capsules, each in a separate blister pack.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals s.r.o.
Hvězdova 1716/2b
140 78 Prague 4
Czech Republic
EirGen Pharma Ltd.
Westside Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road
Waterford, X91 YV67
Ireland
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals s.r.o.
Fibichova 143
566 17 Vysoké Mýto
Czech Republic
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Sp. z o.o.
Osmańska 14
02-823 Warsaw
Date of last revision of the leaflet:February 2022
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Discuss dosage, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and prescription renewal for Temozolomide Glenmark – subject to medical assessment and local rules.