Altretamine
Description
Altretamine is an anticancer agent which is used in the palliative treatment of cancer of the female reproductive system in patients who have not improved after therapy with other medicines. Close monitoring of blood cell count is necessary while taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Altretamine
- Burning, numbness, tingling in the arms and feet
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Restlessness
- Decrease in white blood cells and platelets
- Hair loss
- Diarrhea
- Increase in liver enzyme levels
- Loss of appetite
Uses of Altretamine
What is it prescribed for?
- Ovarian Cancer
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to Altretamine or any other ingredients present along with it.
Bone marrow depression and Neurological dysfunction
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe bone marrow depression or neurological dysfunction due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Neurologic dysfunction
This medicine may cause neurological impairment and should be used with extreme caution in patients with peripheral neuropathy or any other neurologic disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning sensations in hands and feet must be reported immediately to the doctor. Close monitoring of neurologic function is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe neurologic dysfunction.
Bonemarrow suppression
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having conditions like thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, anemia, or bone marrow suppression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. A complete blood count should be performed before initiating treatment with this medicine. Close monitoring of blood counts is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe bone marrow depression.
Use in males children, and adolescents
This medicine is not recommended for use in males, children, and adolescents.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Etanercept
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Disease interactions
Hepatic impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Miscellaneous antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Tapermd.com. 2018 [cited 18 December 2018]. Available from:
Altretamine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 18 December 2018]. Available from:
Altretamine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 8 April 2019]. Available from:
DailyMed - Hexalen- altretamine capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 18 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Apr 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.