Altretamine side effects

What does Altretamine do? Altretamine works against cancer through a process called alkylation. Alkylation damages cells' DNA, preventing them from dividing and causing them to die. Because cancer cells divide faster and correct less errors than healthy cells, they are more sensitive to this damage.
In addition, Altretamine is also converted to formaldehyde, which is cytotoxic (lethal) to most cells.
Altretamine is indicated for use in the following cases:
Palliative treatment of existing or recurrent ovarian cancer. Altretamine is an alternative to salvage therapy in the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Small cell lung cancer. Altretamine is contraindicated in the following cases:
People with hypersensitivity to any component of the drug. People with a history of severe bone marrow failure. People with a history of severe neurotoxicity. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use concurrently with phenytoin, yellow fever vaccine.

Altretamine is made in capsule form, the drug is to be taken orally, do not break or chew the tablet. Altretamine dosage will depend on your body size. The total daily dose of Altretamine should be divided into 4 doses, taken after meals and at bedtime.
If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, you should contact your pharmacist or doctor for advice on the right solution.
If you miss a dose of Altretamine, you should take it as soon as you remember. If you remember when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose.
It is important to make sure that you are taking the correct amount of Altretamine each time. Before each dose of Altretamine, check that what you are taking matches what you have been prescribed.
Altretamine can interact with some other drugs. Cimetidine (Tagamet) may affect how Altretamine is eliminated from the body. When you use Altretamine with MAO inhibitor antidepressants, such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine, orthostatic hypotension may occur.
You should consult your doctor before taking a multivitamin. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications and supplements you take.

Store your Altretamine in its original, labeled packaging at room temperature and in a dry place (unless otherwise directed by your doctor or pharmacist). Altretamine should not be stored in a pill box. Keep Altretamine out of reach of children and pets.
If your caregiver is preparing a dose of Altretamine for you, they should consider wearing gloves or pouring the medication directly from their container into a lid, small cup, or directly into your hand. They should avoid touching Altretamine tablets and should always wash their hands before and after giving you this medicine.
Pregnant or nursing women should not prepare doses of Altretamine. Ask your doctor where to return any unused medication for disposal. Do not flush Altretamine down the toilet or throw it in the trash.

The most common or important side effects of Altretamine include:
Nausea and/or vomiting: Talk to your doctor so they can prescribe medicine to help you control nausea and vomiting. In addition, dietary changes may be helpful. Avoid foods that are greasy, spicy or acidic (lemon, tomato, orange). Call your doctor if you feel light-headed or dizzy at any time. Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy is a toxic disease affecting the nerves. It causes numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, often when wearing gloves or socks. This condition may get worse with additional doses of the drug. In some people, these symptoms will slowly go away after stopping Altretamine, but for some, it never goes away completely. You should let your doctor know if you experience numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, as they may need an adjustment in your Altretamine dosage. Leukopenia or neutropenia: White blood cells (WBCs) are important for fighting infections. While being treated with Altretamine, your white blood cell count may drop, putting you at higher risk of infection. You should tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have a fever (temperature higher than 38°C), sore throat or cold, trouble breathing, cough, burning when urinating, or pain that doesn't heal . Tips to prevent infection while taking Altretamine include:
Good hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid going to crowded places and people who are sick. When working in the garden, wear protective clothing including long pants and gloves. Do not handle pet waste. Keep all cuts or scrapes clean. Shower daily and perform regular oral care. Do not trim cuticles or ingrown nails. You can paint your nails, but don't wear fake nails. Ask your doctor before scheduling dental appointments or procedures. Ask your doctor before you or someone living with you get vaccinated. Anemia: Your red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues in your body. When your red blood cell count is low, you may feel tired or weak. You should let your doctor know if you experience shortness of breath, shortness of breath, or chest pain. If your red blood cell count is too low, you may receive a blood transfusion. Thrombocytopenia: Platelets help with blood clotting, so when the number of these cells is low, you have a higher risk of bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have any excessive bruising or bleeding, including nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in your urine or stools. If the platelet count becomes too low, you may be given a platelet transfusion. Measures to prevent bleeding: Do not use a razor. Avoid playing sports and activities that could cause injury or bleeding. Do not take aspirin (salicylic acid), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib), etc. both of which can increase the risk of bleeding. Do not floss or use toothpicks. Use only a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth. Less common, but important side effects of Altretamine include:
Neurotoxicity: Altretamine may cause neurological (brain and nervous) effects including mood disturbances, altered consciousness, ataxia (difficulty walking), dizziness and lightheadedness. Your doctor will perform regular neurological exams while you are taking Altretamine. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor. Orthostatic hypotension: Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure when you move from a lying position to a sitting position or from a sitting position to a standing position. Altretamine may cause symptomatic orthostatic hypotension when used with monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO) antidepressants. You need to be careful when getting out of bed or when standing up. If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness, contact your doctor.

Exposure of the fetus to Altretamine can cause birth defects, so you should not become pregnant while using this medicine. Even if your period has stopped, you may still be able to conceive.
You should consult your doctor before breast-feeding while taking Altretamine.
Altretamine is a medicine used in the treatment of certain cancers. To ensure effective use and avoid side effects, users need to strictly follow the instructions of the doctor, professional pharmacist.
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Reference source: oncolink.org