Patient leaflet - Temozolomide Teva
B. PACKAGE LEAFLET
Package Leaflet: Information for the user
Temozolomide Teva 5 mg hard capsules Temozolomide Teva 20 mg hard capsules Temozolomide Teva 100 mg hard capsules Temozolomide Teva 140 mg hard capsules Temozolomide Teva 180 mg hard capsules Temozolomide Teva 250 mg hard capsules
temozolomide
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
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– Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
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– If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
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– This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them,
even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
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1. What Temozolomide Teva is and what it is used for
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2. What you need to know before you take Temozolomide Teva
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3. How to take Temozolomide Teva
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4. Possible side effects
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5. How to store Temozolomide Teva
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6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Temozolomide Teva is and what it is used for
Temozolomide Teva contains a medicine called temozolomide. This medicine is an antitumour agent.
Temozolomide Teva is used for the treatment of specific forms of brain tumours:
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– in adults with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. Temozolomide Teva is first used
together with radiotherapy (concomitant phase of treatment) and after that alone (monotherapy phase of treatment).
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– in children 3 years and older and adult patients with malignant glioma, such as glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma. Temozolomide Teva is used in these tumours if they return or get worse after standard treatment.
2. What you need to know before you take Temozolomide Teva
Do not take Temozolomide Teva
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– if you are allergic to temozolomide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
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– if you have had an allergic reaction to dacarbazine (an anticancer medicine sometimes called DTIC). Signs of allergic reaction include feeling itchy, breathlessness or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
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– if certain kinds of blood cells are severely reduced (myelosuppression), such as your white blood cell count and platelet count. These blood cells are important for fighting infection and for proper blood clotting. Your doctor will check your blood to make sure you have enough of these cells before you begin treatment.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Temozolomide Teva.
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– as you should be observed closely for the development of a serious form of chest infection called Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP). If you are a newly-diagnosed patient (glioblastoma multiforme) you may be receiving Temozolomide Teva for 42 days in combination with radiotherapy. In this case, your doctor will also prescribe medicine to help you prevent this type of pneumonia (PCP).
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– if you have ever had or might now have a hepatitis B infection. This is because Temozolomide Teva could cause hepatitis B to become active again, which can be fatal in some cases. Patients will be carefully checked by their doctor for signs of this infection before treatment is started.
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– if you have low counts of red blood cells (anaemia), white blood cells and platelets, or blood clotting problems before starting the treatment, or if you develop them during treatment. Your doctor may decide to reduce the dose, interrupt, stop or change your treatment. You may also need other treatments. In some cases, it may be necessary to stop treatment with Temozolomide Teva. Your blood will be tested frequently during treatment to monitor the side effects of Temozolomide Teva on your blood cells.
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– as you may have a small risk of other changes in blood cells, including leukaemia.
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– if you have nausea (feeling sick in your stomach) and/or vomiting which are very common side
effects of Temozolomide Teva (see section 4), your doctor may prescribe you a medicine (an anti-emetic) to help prevent vomiting.
If you vomit frequently before or during treatment, ask your doctor about the best time to take Temozolomide Teva until the vomiting is under control. If you vomit after taking your dose, do not take a second dose on the same day.
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– if you develop fever or symptoms of an infection, contact your doctor immediately.
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– if you are older than 70 years of age, you might be more prone to infections, bruising or
bleeding.
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– if you have liver or kidney problems, your dose of Temozolomide Teva may need to be adjusted.
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children under the age of 3 years because it has not been studied. There is limited information in patients over 3 years of age who have taken Temozolomide Teva.
Other medicines and Temozolomide Teva
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. This is because you must not be treated with Temozolomide Teva during pregnancy unless clearly indicated by your doctor.
Effective contraceptive precautions must be taken by female patients who are able to become pregnant during treatment with Temozolomide Teva, and for at least 6 months following completion of treatment..
You should stop breast-feeding while receiving treatment with Temozolomide Teva.
Male fertility
Temozolomide Teva may cause permanent infertility. Male patients should use effective contraception and not father a child for at least 3 months after stopping treatment. It is recommended to seek advice on conservation of sperm prior to treatment.
Driving and using machines
Temozolomide Teva may make you feel tired or sleepy. In this case, do not drive or use any tools or machines or cycle until you see how this medicine affects you (see section 4).
Temozolomide Teva contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Temozolomide Teva contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Temozolomide Teva 20 mg hard capsules contains sunset yellow FCF (E110)
The excipient sunset yellow FCF (E110) is also included in the capsule shell of Temozolomide Teva 20 mg hard capsules and may cause allergic reactions.
3. How to take Temozolomide Teva
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Dosage and duration of treatment
Your doctor will work out your dose of Temozolomide Teva. This is based on your size (height and weight) and if you have a recurrent tumour and have had chemotherapy treatment in the past.
You may be given other medicines (anti-emetics) to take before and/or after taking Temozolomide Teva to prevent or control nausea and vomiting.
Patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme
If you are a newly-diagnosed patient, treatment will occur in two phases:
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– treatment together with radiotherapy (concomitant phase) first
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– followed by treatment with only Temozolomide Teva (monotherapy phase).
During the concomitant phase, your doctor will start Temozolomide Teva at a dose of 75 mg/m2 (usual dose). You will take this dose every day for 42 days (up to 49 days) in combination with radiotherapy. The Temozolomide Teva dose may be delayed or stopped, depending on your blood counts and how you tolerate your medicine during the concomitant phase.
Once the radiotherapy is completed, you will interrupt treatment for 4 weeks. This will give your body a chance to recover.
Then, you will start the monotherapy phase.
During the monotherapy phase, the dose and way you take Temozolomide Teva will be different.
Your doctor will work out your exact dose. There may be up to 6 treatment periods (cycles). Each one lasts 28 days. You will take your new dose of Temozolomide Teva alone once daily for the first 5 days (“dosing days”) of each cycle. The first dose will be 150 mg/m2. Then you will have 23 days without Temozolomide Teva. This adds up to a 28-day treatment cycle.
After Day 28, the next cycle will begin. You will again take Temozolomide Teva once daily for 5 days followed by 23 days without Temozolomide Teva. The Temozolomide Teva dose may be adjusted, delayed or stopped depending on your blood counts and how you tolerate your medicine during each treatment cycle.
Patients with tumours that have returned or worsened (malignant glioma, such as glioblastoma multi forme or anaplastic astrocytoma) taking Temozolomide Teva only
A treatment cycle with Temozolomide Teva lasts 28 days.
You will take Temozolomide Teva alone once daily for the first 5 days. This daily dose depends on whether or not you have received chemotherapy before.
If you have not been previously treated with chemotherapy, your first dose of Temozolomide Teva will be 200 mg/m2 once daily for the first 5 days. If you have been previously treated with chemotherapy, your first dose of Temozolomide Teva will be 150 mg/m2 once daily for the first
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5 days.
Then, you will have 23 days without Temozolomide Teva. This adds up to a 28-day treatment cycle.
After Day 28, the next cycle will begin. You will again receive Temozolomide Teva once daily for 5 days, followed by 23 days without Temozolomide Teva.
Before each new treatment cycle, your blood will be tested to see if the Temozolomide Teva dose needs to be adjusted. Depending on your blood test results, your doctor may adjust your dose for the next cycle.
How to take Temozolomide Teva
Take your prescribed dose of Temozolomide Teva once a day, preferably 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 capsule(s) whole with a glass of water. Do not open, crush or chew the capsules. If a capsule is damaged, avoid contact of the powder with your skin, eyes or nose. If you accidentally get some in your eyes or nose, flush the area with water.
Depending on the prescribed dose, you may have to take more than one capsule together, eventually with different strengths (content of active substance, in mg). The colour and marking of the capsule is different for each strength (see table below).
| Strength | Colour/marking |
| Temozolomide Teva 5 mg | two stripes in green ink on the cap and “T 5 mg” in green ink on the body |
| Temozolomide Teva 20 mg | two stripes in orange ink on the cap and “T 20 mg” in orange ink on the body |
| Temozolomide Teva 100 mg | two stripes in pink ink on the cap and “T 100 mg” in pink ink on the body |
| Temozolomide Teva 140 mg | two stripes in blue ink on the cap and “T 140 mg” in blue ink on the body |
| Temozolomide Teva 180 mg | two stripes in red ink on the cap and “T 180 mg” in red ink on the body |
| Temozolomide Teva 250 mg | two stripes in black ink on the cap and “T 250 mg” in black ink on the body |
You should make sure you fully understand and remember the following:
- how many capsules you need to take every dosing day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to write it down (including the colour).
- which days are your dosing days.
Review the dose with your doctor each time you start a new cycle, since it may be different from the last cycle.
Always take Temozolomide Teva exactly as your doctor has told you. It is very important to check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Errors in how you take this medicine may have serious health consequences.
If you take more Temozolomide Teva than you should
If you accidentally take more Temozolomide Teva capsules than you were told to, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately.
If you forget to take Temozolomide Teva
Take the missed dose as soon as possible during the same day. If a full day has gone by, check with your doctor. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten 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.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:
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– a severe allergic (hypersensitive) reaction (hives, wheezing or other breathing difficulty),
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– uncontrolled bleeding,
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– seizures (convulsions),
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– fever,
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– chills,
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– severe headache that does not go away.
Temozolomide Teva treatment can cause a reduction in certain kinds of blood cells. This may cause you to have increased bruising or bleeding, anaemia (a shortage of red blood cells), fever, and reduced resistance to infections. The reduction in blood cell counts is usually short-lived. In some cases, it may be prolonged and may lead to a very severe form of anaemia (aplastic anaemia). Your doctor will monitor your blood regularly for any changes, and will decide if any specific treatment is needed. In some cases, your Temozolomide Teva dose will be reduced or treatment stopped.
Other side effects that have been reported are listed below:
Very Common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) are:
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– loss of appetite, difficulty speaking, headache
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– vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation
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– rash, hair loss
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– tiredness
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) are:
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– infections, oral infections
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– reduced number of blood cells (neutropenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia)
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– allergic reaction
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– increased blood sugar
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– memory impairment, depression, anxiety, confusion, inability to fall asleep or stay asleep
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– impaired coordination and balance
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– difficulty concentrating, change in mental status or alertness, forgetfulness
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– dizziness, impaired sensations, tingling sensations, shaking, abnormal taste
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– partial loss of vision, abnormal vision, double vision, painful eyes
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– deafness, ringing in the ears, earache
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– blood clot in lung or legs, high blood pressure
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– pneumonia, shortness of breath, bronchitis, cough, inflammation of your sinuses
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– stomach or abdominal pain, upset stomach/heartburn, difficulty swallowing
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– dry skin, itching
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– muscle damage, muscle weakness, muscle aches and pain
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– painful joint, back pain
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– frequent urination, difficulty withholding your urine
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– fever, flu-like symptoms, pain, feeling unwell, a cold or the flu
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– fluid retention, swollen legs
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– liver enzyme elevations
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– loss of weight, weight gain
radiation injury
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) are:
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– brain infections (meningoencephalitis herpetic) including fatal cases
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– wound infections
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– new or reactivated cytomegalovirus infections
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– reactivated hepatitis B virus infections
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– secondary cancers including leukaemia
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– reduced blood cell counts (pancytopenia, anaemia, leukopenia)
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– red spots under the skin
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– diabetes insipidus (symptoms include increased urination and feeling thirsty), low potassium level in the blood
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– mood swings, hallucination
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– partial paralysis, change in your sense of smell
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– hearing impairment, infection of the middle ear
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– palpitations (when you can feel your heart beat), hot flushes
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– swollen stomach, difficulty controlling your bowel movements, haemorrhoids, dry mouth
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– hepatitis and injury to the liver (including fatal liver failure), cholestasis, increased bilirubin
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– blisters on body or in mouth, skin peeling, skin eruption, painful reddening of the skin, severe rash with skin swelling (including palms and soles)
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– increased sensitivity to sunlight, urticaria (hives), increased sweating, change in skin colour
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– difficulty in urinating
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– vaginal bleeding, vaginal irritation, absent or heavy menstrual periods, breast pain, sexual
impotence
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– shivering, face swelling, discolouration of the tongue, thirst, tooth disorder
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– dry eyes
5. How to store Temozolomide Teva
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard. Accidental ingestion can be lethal for children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in the original package.
Do not store above 30 °C.
Keep the bottle tightly closed in order to protect from moisture.
Tell your pharmacist if you notice any change in the appearance of the capsules.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Temozolomide Teva contains
The active substance is temozolomide.
Temozolomide Teva 5 mg hard capsules : Each capsule contains 5 mg temozolomide.
Temozolomide Teva 20 mg hard capsules : Each capsule contains 20 mg temozolomide.
Temozolomide Teva 100 mg hard capsules : Each capsule contains 100 mg temozolomide.
Temozolomide Teva 140 mg hard capsules : Each capsule contains 140 mg temozolomide.
Temozolomide Teva 180 mg hard capsules : Each capsule contains 180 mg temozolomide.
Temozolomide Teva 250 mg hard capsules : Each capsule contains 250 mg temozolomide.
The other ingredients are:
capsule content:
lactose, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium starch glycolate type A, tartaric acid, stearic acid (see section 2 “Temozolomide Teva contains lactose”).
capsule shell :
Temozolomide Teva 5 mg hard capsules: (including printing ink) : gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), shellac, propylene glycol, Indigo carmine (E132) aluminium lake, yellow iron oxide (E172)
Temozolomide Teva 20 mg hard capsules: (including printing ink) : gelatine, titanium dioxide (E171), shellac, propylene glycol, Sunset yellow FCF Aluminium Lake (E110)
Temozolomide Teva 100 mg hard capsules: (including printing ink) : gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), red iron oxide (E172), shellac, propylene glycol and yellow iron oxide (E172).
Temozolomide Teva 140 mg hard capsules: (including printing ink): gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), shellac, propylene glycol, Indigo carmine (E132) aluminium lake
Temozolomide Teva 180 mg hard capsules: (including printing ink): gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), shellac, propylene glycol, red iron oxide (E172)
Temozolomide Teva 250 mg hard capsules: (including printing ink): gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), shellac, propylene glycol, black iron oxide (E172), Ammonium hydroxide (E527).
What Temozolomide Teva looks like and contents of the pack
Temozolomide Teva 5 mg hard capsules have a white opaque body and cap with two stripes in green ink on the cap and with “T 5 mg” in green ink on the body. Each capsule is approximately 16 mm in length.
Temozolomide Teva 20 mg hard capsules have a white opaque body and cap with two stripes in orange ink on the cap and with “T 20 mg” in orange ink on the body. Each capsule is approximately 18 mm in length.
Temozolomide Teva 100 mg hard capsules have a white opaque body and cap with two stripes in pink ink on the cap and with “T 100 mg” in pink ink on the body. Each capsule is approximately 19.5 mm in length.
Temozolomide Teva 140 mg hard capsules have a white opaque body and cap with two stripes in blue ink on the cap and with “T 140 mg” in blue ink on the body. Each capsule is approximately 22 mm in length.
Temozolomide Teva 180 mg hard capsules have a white opaque body and cap with two stripes in red ink on the cap and with “T 180 mg” in red ink on the body. Each capsule is approximately 22 mm in length.
Temozolomide Teva 250 mg hard capsules have a white opaque body and cap with two stripes in black ink on the cap and with “T 250 mg” in black ink on the body. Each capsule is approximately 22 mm in length.
The hard capsules are dispensed in amber glass bottles containing 5 or 20 capsules.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Teva B.V.
Swensweg 5
2031GA Haarlem
Netherlands
Manufacturer
NerPharMa S.r.l.
Viale Pasteur, 10 20014 Nerviano (MI)
Italy
Pharmachemie BV.
Swensweg 5 2031 GA Haarlem The Netherlands
Haupt Pharma Amareg GmbH
Donaustaufer Straße 378
93055 Regensburg
Germany
Teva Operations Poland Sp. z o.o.
ul. Mogilska 80,
31–546 Krakow
Poland
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
| Belgie/Belgique/Belgien Teva Pharma Belgium N.V./S.A./AG Tél/Tel: +32 38207373 | Lietuva UAB Teva Baltics Tel: +370 52660203 |
| Etnrapua TeBa OapMa EAfl Ten: +359 24899585 | Luxembourg/Luxemburg Teva Pharma Belgium N.V./S.A./AG Belgique/Belgien Tel/Tel: +32 38207373 |
| Česká republika Teva Pharmaceuticals CR, s.r.o. Tel: +420 251007111 | Magyarorszag Teva Gyogyszergyar Zrt. Tel: +36 12886400 |
| Danmark Teva Denmark A/S Tlf: +45 44985511 | Malta Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland L-Irlanda Tel: +44 2075407117 |
| Deutschland TEVA GmbH Tel: +49 73140208 | Nederland Teva Nederland B.V. Tel: +31 8000228400 |
| Eesti UAB Teva Baltics Eesti filiaal Tel: +372 6610801 | Norge Teva Norway AS Tlf: +47 66775590 |
| EZZáSa Specifar A.B.E.E. Tql: +30 2118805000 | Österreich ratiopharm Arzneimittel Vertriebs-GmbH Tel: +43 1970070 |
| España Teva Pharma, S.L.U. Tel: +34 913873280 | Polska Teva Pharmaceuticals Polska Sp. z o.o. Tel: +48 223459300 |
| France Teva Santé Tél: +33 155917800 | Portugal Teva Pharma – Produtos Farmacêuticos, Lda. Tel: +351 214767550 |
| Hrvatska Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o. Tel: + 385 13720000 | România Teva Pharmaceuticals S.R.L. Tel: +40 212306524 |
| Ireland Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland Tel: +44 2075407117 | Slovenija Pliva Ljubljana d.o.o. Tel: +386 15890390 |
| Ísland Teva Pharma Iceland ehf. Sími: +354 5503300 | Slovenská republika TEVA Pharmaceuticals Slovakia s.r.o. Tel: +421 257267911 |
| Italia Teva Italia S.r.l. Tel: +39 028917981 | Suomi/Finland Teva Finland Oy Puh/Tel: +358 201805900 |
| Kùnpoç Specifar A.B.E.E. EZZàôa Tql: +30 2118805000 | Sverige Teva Sweden AB Tel: +46 42121100 |
| Latvija UAB Teva Baltics filiäle Latvijä Tel: +371 67323666 | United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ireland Tel: +44 2075407117 |
This leaflet was last revised in
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site:
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