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Treatment Options > Chemotherapy > OncoLink Rx

Temozolomide (Temodar®)

Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: January 29, 2006

Temozolomide acts by interfering with the DNA located within the cells in your body. DNA controls the growth of normal cells as well as tumor cells. Due to the fact that tumor cells grow much faster than normal cells, they are affected to a much greater extent by temozolomide. Temzolomide is similar to the drug dacarbazine (DTIC), and patients who have had allergic reactions to dacarbazine should not take temozolomide.

Facts about temozolomide

• Temozolomide is approved by the Food & Drug Administration to treat two types of primary brain tumors: astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
• Clinical trials are studying temzolomide in other types of cancers and brain metastases (brain tumors that have spread from other areas of the body).

How to take temozolomide

Temozolomide is given in a capsule form, taken once a day on an empty stomach (1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after). This helps to prevent nausea associated with this medication. You should take this medication around the same time each day. The actual dose is dependent on your body size, the regimen your doctor is following, and whether or not it is being used in conjunction with other chemotherapies or with radiation therapy. Be sure to swallow the capsules whole, (do not open or chew them) and take with a full glass of water.

How long should you take temozolomide? You can receive temozolomide for as long as the cancer cells continue to respond to this therapy and you are tolerating any side effects.