THIOTEPA
About
THIOTEPA belongs to the group of medicines called alkylating agents used to prepare patients for bone marrow transplantation and reduce the risk of graft rejection. It is also indicated in the treatment of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, and serosal cavity neoplastic disease. It is also used to treat malignant effusions caused by cancerous tumours.
THIOTEPA contains Thiotepa, which works by destroying bone marrow cells. This enables the transplantation of new bone marrow cells (haematopoietic progenitor cells), enabling the body to produce healthy blood cells. It helps treat cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body.
THIOTEPA will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. In some cases, THIOTEPA may cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, hair loss, unusual tiredness or weakness, and pain at the site of injection. Do not be reluctant to talk with your doctor if any of the side effects persist or worsen.
Let the doctor know if you are allergic to any of the components in THIOTEPA. Do not use THIOTEPA if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. THIOTEPA may cause blurred vision, dizziness, and headache; therefore, drive or operate machinery only if you are alert. Keep the doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any side effects/interactions.
Uses of THIOTEPA
Medicinal Benefits
THIOTEPA belongs to the group of medicines called alkylating agents used to prepare patients for bone marrow transplantation and reduce the risk of graft rejection. It is also indicated in the treatment of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, and serosal cavity neoplastic disease. It is also used to treat malignant effusions (a condition when fluid collects in the lungs or around the heart) caused by cancerous tumours. THIOTEPA contains Thiotepa, which works by destroying bone marrow cells. This enables the transplantation of new bone marrow cells (haematopoietic progenitor cells), enabling the body to produce healthy blood cells. It helps treat cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of THIOTEPA
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Pain at the site of injection
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use THIOTEPA if you are allergic to any of its components, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are receiving yellow fever vaccination, live virus, or bacterial vaccines. Inform the doctor if you have a weak immune system, liver or kidney problems, heart or lung problems, seizures/fits, if you have previously received or will be receiving radiation (x-ray) therapy or other chemotherapy and if you have/had any medical conditions. Let the doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements and herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you take chemotherapy agents (cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, oxaliplatin, fludarabine) or monoclonal antibodies (alemtuzumab).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform the doctor if you have liver or kidney problems or infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol affects THIOTEPA. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeTHIOTEPA should not be used during pregnancy as it can cause foetal harm. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning for pregnancy, you must inform the doctor before receiving THIOTEPA.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding whilst on treatment with THIOTEPA.
Driving
cautionTHIOTEPA may cause dizziness, headache, and blurred vision. Therefore, drive or operate heavy machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving THIOTEPA. Monitoring of patients with moderate to severe liver impairment for toxicity is advised.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a history of kidney diseases, inform your doctor before receiving THIOTEPA. Monitoring of patients with moderate to severe kidney impairment for toxicity is advised.
Children
cautionTHIOTEPA is safe for use in children for the prevention of graft rejection and bone marrow transplantation. Safety and effectiveness for the treatment of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, malignant effusions and bladder cancer have not been established in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Include vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices in your diet.
- Avoid fast food, fried food, processed meats, refined carbs and added sugar.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
Special Advise
- Consult the doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment.
- Both women and men must use effective contraception during therapy and for six months and one year after the last dose, respectively.
- Prior to initiation of therapy, male patients should seek sperm preservation and should avoid fathering a child during the treatment and the year after cessation of treatment.
- Your doctor may recommend regular blood tests during treatment to check your blood cell count.
- To manage and prevent infections, your doctor may prescribe anti-infective medicines.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Graft rejection: It is a condition in which a transplant recipient's immune system attacks the transplanted organ or tissue. Symptoms include a decrease in organ function, general discomfort, flu-like symptoms, and uneasiness.
Bone marrow transplantation: A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells.
Breast cancer: It is a type of cancer that develops in the breast when the breast cells begin to grow abnormally. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast or tissue thickening which feels different than the normal surrounding tissues, breast pain, redness, swelling, nipple discharge other than breast milk, bloody discharge, unexplained change in shape, size or appearance of the breast, peeling, flaking or scaling of the skin, and a lump or swelling under the arm.
Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and multiply in the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Signs and symptoms include pain, swelling, or a feeling of pressure in the pelvis or abdomen, frequent or sudden urge to urinate, feeling full or trouble eating, a lump in the pelvic area, gas, bloating, or constipation.
Bladder cancer: It is the growth of tumours in the bladder lining. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine.
Serosal cavity neoplastic disease: Serosal cavity neoplastic disease is the presence of cancer cells in a serosal cavity. A serous cavity, also known as the peritoneal cavity, pleural cavity, or pericardial cavity, is a cavity that is lined with a serous membrane that secretes a lubricating fluid which reduces friction from muscle movement.
Malignant effusions caused by cancerous tumours: It is a condition when fluid collects in the lungs or around the heart caused by cancer cells growing in the pleural space. Symptoms include dry cough, pain, shortness of breath, and a feeling of tightness or chest heaviness.
FAQs
THIOTEPA is used to prepare patients for bone marrow transplantation and reduce the risk of graft rejection; breast cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, serosal cavity neoplastic disease, and malignant effusions caused by cancerous tumours.
THIOTEPA works by destroying bone marrow cells. This enables the transplantation of new bone marrow cells (haematopoietic progenitor cells), enabling the body to produce healthy blood cells. It helps treat cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body.
THIOTEPA may impair male and female fertility. It may stop sperm production in men and interfere with normal menstrual/period cycle in women. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Concomitant use of THIOTEPA with live virus and bacteria vaccination and yellow fever vaccination is not advised as it may cause serious infections. Talk to the doctor if you are undergoing any vaccination.
THIOTEPA may increase the risk of infections or bleeding. Consult the doctor immediately if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising or any signs of infections such as fever, chills, pale skin, shortness of breath, tiredness, or mouth sores.
