Temsirolimus injection

What is this medicine?

TEMSIROLIMUS (TEM sir OH li mus) is a drug that alters immune system response in the body. It is used to treat renal cell cancer.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• bloody stools

• chest pain or chest tightness

• cough

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• seizures

• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• signs and symptoms of a blood clot such as breathing problems; changes in vision; chest pain; severe, sudden headache; pain, swelling, warmth in the leg; trouble speaking; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg

• signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as dizziness; dry mouth; dry skin; fruity breath; nausea; stomach pain; increased hunger or thirst; increased urination

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

• stomach pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• diarrhea

• joint pain

• loss of appetite

• mouth sores

• muscle pain

• nausea, vomiting

• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• certain medicines for blood pressure like amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, ramipril, lisinopril, enalapril

• certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

• clarithromycin

• dexamethasone

• grapefruit juice

• nefazodone

• rifabutin

• rifampicin

• rifampin

• sunitinib

• telithromycin

• vaccines

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes

• heart disease

• high cholesterol

• immune system problems

• infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• liver disease

• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots

• an unusual or allergic reaction to temsirolimus, polysorbate 80, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor for regular check-ups. you will need important blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 3 months after stopping it. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping it. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine or for 3 weeks after the last dose.