Uses of Altretamine

Altretamine has anti-cancer effects through a process called alkylation. Alkylation damages cells' DNA, preventing them from dividing and causing them to die. Because cancer cells divide faster and with less error correction than healthy cells, they are more sensitive to this damage. Altretamine is also converted to formaldehyde, which is cytotoxic (lethal) to most cells.

Altretamine is provided in capsule form and should not be opened, cut, or chewed by the patient. Altretamine dosage will depend on the patient's body size. The total daily dose of Altretamine should be divided into 4 doses, taken after meals and at bedtime.
If a patient has difficulty swallowing Altretamine, the patient should contact a pharmacist or healthcare provider. If you miss a dose of Altretamine, take the dose as soon as you remember, if it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose of Altretamine and take the next scheduled dose.
It is important to make sure that you are taking the correct amount of Altretamine each time. Before each dose, 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 an MAO inhibitor antidepressant, such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine, Altretamine can cause orthostatic hypotension. Consult your care provider before taking a multivitamin with Altretamine.

Store Altretamine in its original, labeled packaging, at room temperature and in a dry place.
If caregivers are preparing a dose for a patient, they should consider wearing gloves or pouring Altretamine medication directly from the container into the lid, small cup, or directly into the patient's hand. Avoid touching Altretamine tablets. Always wash your hands before and after giving medication to a patient. Pregnant or nursing women should not prepare doses of Altretamine for patients.

Some cancer drugs are only available at specialty pharmacies. If the patient needs to buy Altretamine, please go through a specialized pharmacy with a doctor's prescription.

Some side effects and things you can do to manage the side effects of Altretamine .
6.1. Nausea and/or vomiting Talk to your cancer care team to get a prescription for medication to help control nausea and vomiting. In addition, it may be helpful for patients to change their diet, avoiding things that may worsen symptoms such as greasy/fatty foods, spices or acids...
6.2. Peripheral Neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy is a toxic disease affecting the nerves. It causes numbness or tingling in the hands and/or feet, which usually occurs when wearing socks or gloves. This condition may get worse with additional doses of Altretamine .
In some people, symptoms will slowly go away after stopping Altretamine, but for some, it never goes away completely. You should let your oncology team know if you have numbness or tingling in your hands and/or feet, as they may need to adjust the dose of your medicine.
6.3. Low white blood cell count White blood cell (WBC) cells are important for fighting infection, and while being treated with Altretamine, a patient's white blood cell count may drop putting the patient at risk for infection. higher infection. You should tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a fever (temperature higher than 100.4°F or 38°C), sore throat or cold, trouble breathing, cough, burning when walking. urination or pain that does not heal. To prevent infection need:
Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid large crowds and sick people When working wear protective clothing including long pants and gloves. Do not directly handle pet waste. Keep all cuts or scrapes clean. Shower daily and perform regular oral care. Do not cut skin or manicure 6.4. Low red blood cell count (anemia) Your red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to your body's tissues. When the red blood cell count is low, the body feels tired or weak. If the count is too low, a blood transfusion may be needed.
6.5. Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) Platelets help blood clot, so when it's low, you're at higher risk of bleeding. Tell your cancer care team 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. Do not use a razor, avoid sports and contact activities that can cause injury or bleeding.
Do not take aspirin (salicylic acid), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin / Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib)... as they can all increase the risk of bleeding. Do not floss or use toothpicks and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth.

Neurotoxicity: Altretamine can cause neurological (brain and nervous) effects including mood disturbances, altered consciousness, ataxia (difficulty walking), dizziness and fainting. eye. Your healthcare team will perform regular neurological exams while you are taking Altretamine.
Postural hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure when moving 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. Be sure to tell your healthcare team about all medications and supplements you are taking before you start using Altretamine. Be careful when getting out of bed or when standing up. If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness, contact your doctor and medical staff.
Exposure of the fetus to Altretamine can cause birth defects, so you should not become pregnant while taking Altretamine. Even if your period has stopped, you can still be fertile and conceive. It is advisable to consult your healthcare team before breast-feeding while taking Altretamine. Altretamine is a drug used for the palliative treatment of existing ovarian cancer or recurrent ovarian cancer after the first-line combination of cisplatin or an alkylating agent. Follow the website of Vinmec International General Hospital to get more health, nutrition and beauty information to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones in your family.

Reference source: oncolink.org