According to estimates released by the National Cancer Institute (INCA), in Brazil, about 11 thousand new cases of cancer in the central nervous system occur each year.
Cancer is a disease in which cells with abnormal behavior divide in an uncontrolled way and destroy tissues and organs of the human body.
To treat this type of problem, there are some specific medications and, among them, Temodal, which acts on tumors located in the brain and skin.
Contents
What is the medicine Temodal and which laboratory?
Temodal is one of the trade names for the active ingredient Temozolomide, a substance used in the treatment of some brain and skin cancers.
The drug acts to combat tumors and their mechanism of action. Soon after the start of use, the effects start to occur, and the form of administration is oral.
It is manufactured by Schering-Plow – a pharmaceutical company. Currently, presentations are available in capsules of 5mg, 20mg, 100mg, 140mg, 180mg and 250mg.
What is the medicine Temodal for?
The Temodal medication is used to treat some tumors for both adults and children over 3 years old according to each case. Between them:
- Glioblastoma multiforme – tumor that affects the brain and / or the spine;
- Malignant glioma – tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord;
- Anaplastic astrocytoma – aggressive brain tumor;
- Metastatic malignant melanoma – skin cancer in which the tumor has spread to other organs.
Temodal is indicated for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme in adults, when newly diagnosed, or for cases in which the disease has progressed after standard treatment. Its use should be done in conjunction with radiotherapy.
In cases of malignant glioma or anaplastic astrocytoma, the drug is recommended for adult patients and children over 3 years old, who have already undergone other treatments, but the tumor has reappeared or progressed.
What is a cerebral glioma?
Cerebral Glioma is a set of tumors that affect the brain. It originates in glial cells – cells that protect neurons – and its most common form is Astrocytoma.
Astrocytoma originates from astrocytes, a type of glial cell and is generally classified according to the severity of the tumor.
The classifications are:
- Grade 1 – Grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the brain;
- Grade 2 – They grow slowly, but can spread to other parts of the brain;
- Grade 3 – They can spread to other parts of the brain and, usually, only surgery to remove the tumor is not enough, requiring other treatments together.
- Grade 4 – These are called Glioblastomas. They are the most advanced level of the tumor and grow quickly. In general, they need more aggressive treatments to combat them.
There are also other less common types, such as Ependymomas and Oligodendrogliomas. As in the case of astrocytomas, they are classified according to the severity of the tumor.
What is the mechanism of action of the active ingredient Temozolomide?
Temozolomide is an anticancer substance that, when it enters the human body, becomes a compound called MTIC.
This compound binds to cancer cells and prevents their cell division, that is, prevents them from multiplying. In this way, the drug helps to slow the growth of the tumor.
How does the package insert indicate using Temodal?
The use of Temodal, according to the package insert, should preferably be 1 hour before breakfast.
It is indicated to ingest 1 capsule of the medicine, together with water, 1 time a day.
For patients who will use the medication in conjunction with radiotherapy, there are two phases of administration: concomitant and monotherapy.
Concomitant Phase
The concomitant phase is when Temodal is administered in parallel during the radiotherapy period.
In general, the initial dose is 75 mg / m², with daily values varying according to the patient’s physical characteristics. This dose is administered over 42 to 49 days.
After the radiotherapy sessions are over, the administration of Temodal is interrupted for 4 weeks, in order for the organism to recover.
After that interval, the monotherapy phase begins.
Monotherapy phase
The monotherapy phase is one in which Temodal is administered in isolation.
The initial dose in this stage is 150mg / m² and the treatment is divided into cycles. Each complete cycle lasts 28 days, 5 of them with the medication and 23 without.
Temodal should be administered once a day for the first 5 days of each cycle. After this period, it is necessary for the patient to remain for the remaining 23 days without using the medication.
After the full 28 days (5 days of use + 23 without), the treatment restarts and the cycle must be performed again.
The duration of treatment can vary according to the patient’s clinical condition, however, it can reach 6 complete cycles.
Despite the guidelines, always follow the instructions of the responsible professionals.
What are the side effects?
Like other medicines, Temodal can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. They can be different according to the use: combined with radiotherapy or isolated.
It is worth remembering that each organism reacts in a different way to the medication, thus, not all people will suffer from the side effects.
According to the package insert, they can be:
In conjunction with radiation therapy
Among the very common effects when used in conjunction with radiation therapy are:
- Loss of appetite;
- Headache;
- Constipation;
- Enjoo;
- Vomiting;
- Redness in the skin;
- Hair loss;
- Tiredness.
The common effects found are:
- Infections in the mouth;
- Decrease in white blood cells – leukocytes, neutrophils or lymphocytes;
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood;
- Weight loss;
- Increased blood sugar;
- Anxiety;
- Depression;
- Somnolence;
- Dizziness;
- Confusion;
- Speech difficulties;
- Forgetfulness;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Tingling sensation;
- Infections in wounds;
- Blurred or altered vision;
- Altered hearing;
- Cough;
- Short breath;
- Diarrhea;
- Swelling;
- Abdominal pain;
- Liquid retention;
- Dry mouth;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Muscle weakness;
- Fever;
- Changes in taste;
- Increase in urinary frequency.
Among the unusual reactions , which can occur, are:
- Low levels of potassium in the blood;
- Weight gain;
- Deafness;
- Earache;
- Ringing in the ear;
- Altered senses;
- Partial loss of vision;
- Blood clots in the lungs;
- Heat waves;
- Chills;
- Difficulty urinating;
- Hemorrhoids;
- Skin peeling;
- Sexual impotence;
- Vaginal bleeding;
- Chest pains;
- Smell alteration;
- Change in the color of the tongue;
- Headquarters;
- Absent menstruation;
- Very intense menstruation.
Isolated Use
When using Temodal alone, that is, without other drugs together, different side effects can occur.
Among the most common are:
- Decrease in the number of white blood cells – leukocytes, neutrophils or lymphocytes;
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood;
- Loss of appetite;
- Headache;
- Enjoo;
- Vomiting;
- Constipation.
Common reactions , on the other hand , are:
- Weight loss;
- Tiredness;
- Dizziness;
- Tingling sensation;
- Short breath;
- Abdominal pain;
- Diarrhea;
- Bad to be gastric;
- Reddish skin;
- Itch;
- Hair loss;
- Weakness;
- Chills;
- Feeling of malaise;
- Ache;
- Change in taste.
The unusual reactions , but which can still occur, are:
- Pancytopenia (decrease in all types of blood cells);
- Anemia (decrease in red blood cells);
- Leukopenia (decrease in white blood cells).
There are also rare reactions , which occur in a very small percentage of patients (1 in 1000). Between them:
- Cough;
- Infections including pneumonia-causing microorganisms.
If any of these reactions occur, your medical team should be informed.
Value: what is the price of Temodal and where to buy cheaper?
The price of Temodal may vary according to the geographic region and establishment of purchase. In general, the value of the box with 5 capsules is approximately *:
- Temodal 5mg — R$120;
- Temodal 20mg — R$475;
- Temodal 100mg — R$2.099;
- Temodal 140mg — R$3.400;
- Temodal 180mg — R$4.389;
- Temodal 250mg — R$5.800.
The drug can be found in physical pharmacies and online.
If there is a need to compare prices, it is possible to use the Consulta Remedios website , which informs the prices of medicines in different pharmacies in each region.
* Prices consulted in March 2020. Prices may change.
Is Temodal Generic?
-Yeah . Temodal can be found in the generic version.
Generic drugs are those that do not have a commercial name, thus, they are sold by the nomenclature of the active ingredient. They, in general, have the same efficacy as the reference drug.
Generics from Temodal (reference) include:
- Temozolomida Sun Pharma;
- Temozolomida Eurofarma;
- Temozolomida Schering-Plough;
- Temozolomida Bergamo/Amgen.
In addition, there are also similar ones. Similar drugs are those that have the same efficacy and effect as the reference, however, with some different item in the formulation, for example.
Among Temodal’s interchangeable and similar ones are:
- Temolida (similar) ;
- Temotem (similar) ;
- Zabrux (similar interchangeable);
- Temozod (similar interchangeable).
Temozolomide tem no SUS?
No . The active ingredient Temozolomide is not part of the National List of Essential Medicines (Rename), that is, the list of drugs distributed directly by SUS.
However, patients with a medical prescription and who cannot afford the medication can request treatment coverage by the State.
For that, it is necessary to open a judicial process with some documents and budgets in different pharmacies.
Is it approved by ANVISA?
-Yeah . Temodal had its last registration with the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) in 2011.
The document is valid until the year 2027.
How to budget?
Patients who need the Temodal medication but do not have the financial means to pay for the treatment costs can request the cost of the medication by the State or even their health plan, if they are clients of one.
In that case, it is necessary to go to court and file a lawsuit.
Some documents must be presented, among them:
- Medical report;
- Exams;
- Standard requirement;
- Budget in 3 different pharmacies.
For the realization of the budget, it is possible to have the assistance of high cost medication quotation advisory, which provides personalized quotes.
Just access the link , fill in the requested data and wait for the return.
With the advancement of technologies, more and more drugs have been developed to fight diseases that, until then, did not have treatment.
Among them, there is Temodal, used for tumors in the brain and skin.
Want to know more about medicines and treatments? The Healthy Minute has other complete health content for you! Read more and stay informed!
