Download Altre etamin ne (He exale n)

Altre
etamin
ne (He
exalen)
Informa
ation for P
Patients a
and Families
mine (Hexa
alen) is an oral medicine that y
your docto
or prescrib
bed for the
e
Altretam
treatme
ent of ovarrian cancerr. Please ta
ake your a
altretamin
ne as directed by you
ur
prescrib
ber.
How is this medic
cation taken?
•
Take you
ur altretam
mine four times dailly (after ea
ach meal a
and at
bedtime
e).
•
Take alttretamine with food
d and a larg
ge glass off water.
•
Contact your canc
cer clinic iff you are u
unable to ttake altrettamine as
prescrib
bed, includ
ding if you
u are unablle to swallow the cap
psule.
Are therre any drugs or food
ds I should avoid with
h altretamiine therapy
y?
•
There arre multiple
e drug and
d herbal in
nteractionss with altrretamine.
Please contact you
ur cancer clinic
c
or th
he UMCCC
C oral mediications fo
or
cancer therapy
t
serrvice if you
u are takin
ng or interrested in ttaking any
new ove
er-the-coun
nter medic
cation, vita
amin, or herbal prod
duct or if a
has prescrribed any new
physicia
an other th
han your oncologist
o
medicattion for you. We willl review fo
or the risk of interac
ction with
altretam
mine. Som
me example
es of mediications/he
erbal prod
ducts that may
interact include: pyridoxine
p
(vitamin B
B-6 supple
ements), ce
ertain
antideprressants, cimetidine
c
e (Tagemett), or blood
d thinners such as
warfarin
n (Coumad
din).
Oral Antii-Cancer The
erapy Servicce 734-232-6366
cc-oral-chem
c
[email protected]
mich.edu
Altretamine (Hexalen)
What side effects can occur with altretamine therapy?
This information does not cover all possible side effects. Refer to the attached
information for each chemotherapy agent for further information.
Common Side Effects
Nausea/Vomiting
What Can I Do?
• Stay well-hydrated
• Use anti-nausea
medication
prescribed by the
clinic
• Eat smaller, more
frequent
meals/snacks (avoid
empty stomach)
When to Call your Cancer Clinic
• Unable to stay hydrated or
hold down fluid (not able to
drink 8-10 cups of liquid per
day) – CONTACT
IMMEDIATELY
• The anti-nausea medication
prescribed is not working
Decrease in blood cell
counts (white blood
cells, red blood cells,
and platelets)
• Wash hands
regularly
• Avoid close contact
with others who are
sick
• Avoid activities with
high potential for
injury and bleeding
(e.g. contact sports,
etc.)
• The clinic will
monitor your labs to
assess
• Temperature of 100.5˚F or
higher- CONTACT
IMMEDIATELY
• Any signs of infection
• Unusual tiredness or
weakness
• Shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
Peripheral Neuropathy
Tingling in the hands,
legs, feet
Less Common Side
• Discomfort that affects your
ability to work or perform
normal activities (i.e. unable
to grasp a pen/pencil, unable
to button your shirt, or
unable to feel the bottoms of
your feet making walking
difficult)
What Can I Do?
When to Call your Cancer Clinic
Oral Anti-Cancer Therapy Service 734-232-6366
[email protected]
2
Altretamine (Hexalen)
Effects
Diarrhea
• Stay well-hydrated
• Take loperamide
(Imodium) 4 mg at
onset of diarrhea
and up to 2 mg every
2 hours until
diarrhea-free for 12
hours
• Avoid fatty, greasy
or spicy foods that
may increase
diarrhea
• Eat smaller, more
frequent
meals/snacks
• The clinic will
monitor your labs to
assess
Liver Dysfunction
• Unable to stay hydrated (not
able to drink 8-10 cups of
liquid per day) - CONTACT
IMMEDIATELY
• Multiple episodes of diarrhea
unrelieved by anti-diarrheal
medication like loperamide (if
no response in 24 hours of
treatment or if waking in the
night with diarrhea)
• Yellowing of eyes or skin
MORE INFORMATION:
This document should be combined with “What to Expect, A Guide to Oral
Chemotherapy Treatment at the University of Michigan” and the “Oral
Medications for Cancer Therapy” documents. Ask your nurse or pharmacist for
these documents if you did not receive them, or for more information, visit the
Patient Education Resource Center in the Cancer Center.
Oral Anti-Cancer Therapy Service 734-232-6366
[email protected]
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Altretamine (Hexalen)
Who to Call With Questions
•
For medical emergencies call 911.
•
For symptoms or possible side effects related to your medications, please
call your Cancer Center clinic.
•
For questions about drug coverage, ability to receive the medication, drug
interactions with over-the-counter medications, herbal products and new
prescription medications or help in remembering to take your
medication, please contact the Oral Medications for Cancer Therapy
Service at 734-232-6366 or [email protected].
This document is not intended to take the place of the care and attention of
your personal physician or other professional medical services.
Our aim is to promote active participation in your care and treatment
by providing information and education.
Questions about individual health concerns or specific treatment options
should be discussed with your physician.
©2012 The Regents of the University of Michigan
Document #0443/ Revised February 2012
Oral Anti-Cancer Therapy Service 734-232-6366
[email protected]
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