Thiotepa









Thiotepa

(thye oh TEP a)

Pharmacologic Category
Antineoplastic Agent, Alkylating Agent
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • This medicine is very strong. It can prevent your bone marrow from making some of the cells that your body needs. You will need weekly blood work to watch for side effects. Tell healthcare provider right away about any fever, sore throat, signs of infection, bleeding, shortness of breath, or feeling tired.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to thiotepa or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.
  • This medicine is used to treat cancers which have spread.
How does it work?
  • Thiotepa injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • This medicine can be given as a shot into a vein or the fatty part of the skin.
  • This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
  • This medicine is given into the abdominal cavity or the bladder as a wash in certain situations.
  • This medicine is given into the spine.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Call healthcare provider for appointment.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Be careful about taking vaccinations while you are receiving this medicine.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
  • If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help. You may need a medicine to decrease this side effect. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
  • Skin irritation.
  • Infertility.
  • Other forms of cancer can rarely occur later in life.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Significant weight loss.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Severe skin irritation.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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