Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using TEMODAL?
TEMODAL contains the active ingredient temozolomide. TEMODAL belongs to a group of
medicines called cytotoxic or chemotherapy medicines. TEMODAL works by killing cancer
cells and stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
2. What should I know before I use TEMODAL?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to TEMODAL or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with TEMODAL and affect how it works. Tell your doctor
or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins
or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket
or health food shop.
4. How do I use TEMODAL?
Your doctor has worked out the exact dose of TEMODAL for you according to your individual
needs.
Each time you start a new treatment cycle, be sure you understand exactly how many
capsules of each strength you need to take on each day of dosing.
5. What should I know while using TEMODAL?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using TEMODAL.
Tell your doctor if you feel sick or vomit while being treated with TEMODAL
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Things you should not do
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Do not open the capsules. If a capsule is damaged, avoid contact with your skin, eyes
and nose. Avoid inhaling the powder. If you touch the powder or get some in your eyes
or nose, wash the area with water.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how TEMODAL
affects you.
As with other medicines, TEMODAL may make some people feel tired. If this occurs do
not drive.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep your TEMODAL capsules in the sachet pack until it is time to use them.
Keep TEMODAL in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Like all medicines, TEMODAL can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Your doctor will discuss these with you and will explain the risks and benefits of
using TEMODAL. When you get TEMODAL, you can have some serious side effects.
Active ingredient:
temozolomide
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using TEMODAL. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using TEMODAL.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using TEMODAL?
TEMODAL contains the active ingredient temozolomide. TEMODAL is belongs to a group of medicines called cytotoxic or chemotherapy medicines.
TEMODAL works by killing cancer cells and stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
TEMODAL is used to treat patients with brain tumours. TEMODAL is also used to treat
adult patients with advanced metastatic malignant melanoma.
Your doctor, however, may prescribe TEMODAL for another purpose.
Use in children
TEMODAL capsules are used to treat children 3 years and older, with specific forms
of brain tumour (glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma, showing recurrence
or progression after standard therapy).
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why TEMODAL has been prescribed for
you.
2. What should I know before I use TEMODAL?
Warnings
Do not use TEMODAL if:
You are allergic to TEMODAL (temozolomide), dacarbazine (DTIC) or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of this leaflet.
You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant (see Pregnancy).
You are breastfeeding (see Breastfeeding).
You have a very low level of white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets (myelosuppression).
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
hives, itching or skin rash
swelling of the face, lips or tongue. This may lead to difficulty swallowing.
shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing or a tight feeling in your chest.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor if you:
Vomit frequently.
Your doctor may give you medicine to control the vomiting.
Are anaemic or have blood clotting problems.
Intend to have children.
TEMODAL may cause infertility in men.
Have liver or kidney problems.
TEMODAL could cause hepatitis B to become active again, which can be fatal in some
cases.
Have allergies to:
- any other medicines
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
Have any other medical conditions.
Take any medicines for any other condition.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
TEMODAL may cause birth defects if either the male or female is using TEMODAL at the
time of conception or during pregnancy. Therefore, female patients must have a negative
pregnancy test before starting TEMODAL. Both male and female patients and their partners
should each use some kind of birth control while taking TEMODAL and also after the
last dose. Female patients should continue to use an effective form of birth control
for at least 6 months and male patients to continue for at least 3 months after the
final dose. Male patients whose partners are already pregnant should use a condom
to minimise exposure of the unborn baby to TEMODAL in the sperm. Also, do not donate
sperm during and for at least 3 months after the final dose due to the potential effects
on sperm.
Breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by TEMODAL or may affect how well TEMODAL works. These
include other medicines used to treat cancer or any other treatment that may lower
your immune system. You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need
to use different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect TEMODAL.
4. How do I use TEMODAL?
How much to take
Your doctor has worked out the exact dose of TEMODAL for you according to your individual
needs.
You may be given other medication to take before or after TEMODAL to help stop nausea.
If you are taking TEMODAL in combination treatment with radiation (newly diagnosed
patients):
If you are a patient with a newly diagnosed brain tumour, your doctor will start you
on a dose of TEMODAL every day for 42 days (up to 49 days) in combination with radiation
therapy. This is the first part of the treatment ("concomitant phase") in which you
complete the radiation therapy. Your treatment will be interrupted for 4 weeks to
give your body a chance to recover.
Then, you will start the next phase of treatment ("adjuvant phase") and your TEMODAL
dose will change. In this phase, there are up to 6 treatment cycles. Each treatment
cycle lasts 28 days. You will take your new dose of TEMODAL capsules once daily for
the first five days ("dosing days") of each cycle, followed by 23 days without TEMODAL;
this adds up to a 28 day treatment cycle. After day 28, the next cycle will begin,
in which you will again take this medicine once daily for five days followed by 23
days without TEMODAL. Before each new treatment cycle begins, your blood will be tested
to determine if the TEMODAL dose needs to be adjusted.
If you are taking only TEMODAL (patients treated for recurrent brain tumour):
Take the dose the doctor has prescribed once a day for five days. Depending on your
response to TEMODAL, a new treatment cycle will begin each 28 days. You will then
take this medicine again once daily for five days.
Before each new treatment cycle, your blood will be tested to see if the dose needs
to be changed
How to take TEMODAL
Each time you start a new treatment cycle, be sure you understand exactly how many
capsules of each strength you need to take on each day of dosing.
All patients
TEMODAL comes in different strength capsules (shown on the outer label in mg). Each
strength is a different colour. Depending on the dose of TEMODAL that your doctor
prescribes, you may have to take several capsules on each dosing day of the treatment
cycle
Be sure you understand exactly how many capsules you need to take of each strength.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to write down the number and strength (including colour)
that you need to take on each dosing day.
Be sure you know exactly which days are your dosing days.
Be sure you review the dose with your health care provider each time you start a new
cycle. Sometimes the dose or the mix of capsules you need to take will be different
from the last cycle.
Once you take the medicine home, if you are confused or unsure about how to take your
dose, call for re-instruction before beginning the treatment cycle. Errors in how
you take this medicine may have serious health consequences
When to take TEMODAL
Take TEMODAL without food at least one hour before a meal. Swallow the capsules whole
with a glass of water. Do not open or chew the capsules
It is good practice to take TEMODAL at about the same time each day.
If vomiting occurs after you take your capsules, do not take another dose that day.
How long to take TEMODAL
Your doctor will tell you when your treatment should be stopped.
If you forget to use TEMODAL
TEMODAL should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose
at the usual time, 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 double the next dose unless your doctor tells you to do so.
If you use too much TEMODAL
If you think that you have used too much TEMODAL, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using TEMODAL?
Things you should do
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are being
treated with TEMODAL.
Tell your doctor if you feel sick or vomit while being treated with TEMODAL.
Your doctor may give you another medicine to help stop this.
Tell your doctor if you become unusually pale or tired, get blood clotting problems
or frequent infections while being treated with TEMODAL.
These could be caused by a low level of red blood cells, platelets or white blood
cells in the blood. This is more common in patients over 70 years of age. Your doctor
may need to change your dose of TEMODAL.
If you or your partner becomes pregnant while you are being treated with TEMODAL,
tell your doctor.
Be sure to keep all your doctor's appointments so your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may need to do some blood and other tests from time to time to check on
your progress and detect any unwanted side effects.
Keep follow up appointments with your doctor.
It is important to have your follow-up doses of TEMODAL at the appropriate times to
get the best effects from your treatment.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist
that you are being treated with TEMODAL.
Things you should not do
Do not open the capsules. If a capsule is damaged, avoid contact with your skin, eyes
and nose. Avoid inhaling the powder. If you touch the powder or get some in your eyes
or nose, wash the area with water.
Do not give TEMODAL to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use TEMODAL to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how TEMODAL
affects you.
As with other medicines, TEMODAL may make some people feel tired. If this occurs do
not drive.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your TEMODAL capsules in the sachet pack until it is time to use them.
Keep TEMODAL in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on windowsills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard your medicine
Do not use TEMODAL after the expiry date printed on the pack.
Do not use TEMODAL if the packaging shows signs of tampering.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
Like other medicines, TEMODAL may have unwanted side effects. Sometimes they may be
serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get
some of these side effects.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What TEMODAL contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Temozolomide
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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lactose
sodium starch glycollate
stearic acid
tartaric acid
colloidal anhydrous silica
The capsule shells also contain the following ingredients:
gelatin
titanium dioxide
sodium lauryl sulfate
Indigo Carmine (TEMODAL 5 mg and 140 mg)
Iron Oxide Yellow (TEMODAL 5 mg, 20 mg and 180 mg)
Iron Oxide Red (TEMODAL 100 mg and 180 mg)
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TEMODAL does not contain sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or other azo dyes.
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What TEMODAL looks like
TEMODAL capsules have the word "TEMODAL" printed on one part of the capsule and "the
strength", two stripes and the Schering-Plough logo printed on the other part. The
colour of the printing is black
TEMODAL 5 mg capsules are white and green (AUST R 164210).
TEMODAL 20 mg capsules are white and yellow (AUST R 164211).
TEMODAL 100 mg capsules are white and pink (AUST R 164212).
TEMODAL 140 mg capsules are white and blue (AUST R 164213).
TEMODAL 180 mg capsules are white and orange (AUST R 164215).
TEMODAL 250 mg capsules are white (AUST R 164216).
Who distributes TEMODAL
Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited
Level 1, Building A, 26 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Australia
This leaflet was prepared in January 2024
RCN: 000024797-AU
Copyright © 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and its affiliates. All rights
reserved.