Temsirolimus
Description
Temsirolimus is an anticancer medicine which is used in the treatment of a type of kidney cancer. This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Temsirolimus
- Hypersensitivity
- Infections
- Anemia
- Increased cholesterol and triglycerides
- Increase in blood glucose level
- Increase in liver enzyme levels
- Low potassium
- Nosebleed
- Trouble sleeping
- Acne
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Uses of Temsirolimus
What is it prescribed for?
- Renal cell carcinoma
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time required for this medicine to show its effect is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThis medicine remains active in the body for an average duration of 1 week.
- 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. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to temsirolimus or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Hygeine
This medicine may increase the risk of infections. Appropriate safety measures like washing your hands frequently and not coming into contact with people who are sick should be taken to keep away from the infections.
Gastrointestinal perforation
Temsirolimus may cause gastrointestinal perforation. It is recommended that any symptoms such as worsening abdominal pain or blood in the stools should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Laboratory monitoring
Laboratory monitoring of patients receiving Temsirolimus has to be done frequently and upon doctor's instructions due to an increased risk of bleeding disorders.
Cataract
Combined use of Temsirolimus and Interferon alpha may increase the risk of cataracts. Patients should be monitored closely by an ophthalmologist before, during, and after taking this combination to ensure that a cataract has not developed.
Elevated Glucose levels
This medicine may significantly increase blood glucose levels. This risk is especially higher in patients with diabetes. Report any symptoms such as excessive thirst or frequency of urination to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments in either Temsirolimus or antidiabetic medicines may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides levels
Temsirolimus may cause significant elevations in blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This risk is especially higher in patients with lipid metabolism disorders. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of cholesterol and triglycerides levels is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be done under your doctor's supervision.
Missed Dose
If an appointment to take a dose of Temsirolimus is missed, call the doctor immediately and take the dose as instructed by the doctor.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
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
Carbamazepine
Leflunomide
Azole antifungal agents
Live vaccines
Fosphenytoin
Anticoagulants
Antibiotics
Disease interactions
Lung dysfunction
Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with lung diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. It is advised that patients should undergo baseline radiographic examination of the lung before initiation of this medicine. Close monitoring of lung function is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Any respiratory symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Renal Diseases
Caution is advised while using this medicine alone or along with any medicine that may increase the risk of kidney dysfunction. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary during treatment with this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Liver disease
Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Close monitoring of liver function is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the levels of AST and bilirubin.
Infections
Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients who are at a risk of chronic or severe infections since this medicine further increases the risk of infections. Any signs of infections such as swelling, fever, redness, warmth, sore throat, etc. should be reported to the doctor promptly. If any signs of a new infection occur, it is advised to interrupt the therapy and take appropriate corrective measures.
Wound complications
This medicine may cause delayed wound healing and wound related complications which may require surgery.
Food interactions
It is recommended not to take grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Temsirolimus exactly as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised or share this medicine with others. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Temsirolimus slows down the growth of the cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Kinase inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
DailyMed - TORISEL- temsirolimus [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 7 August 2017]. Available from:
Temsirolimus: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 7 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 7 August 2017]. Available from:
Temsirolimus [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 7 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 7 August 2017]. Available from:
TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 7 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Aug 2017
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.