temsirolimus
Other Name: Torisel ®
mixed into larger bags of fluids
- For treating certain types of kidney cancer
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have or had:
- lung, bleeding or liver problems
- recent surgeries
- heart rhythm problems
- diabetes
- high cholesterol or triglycerides
- tumour in the brain or spinal cord
- taken any blood thinners
- any allergies
- People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
Remember to:
- Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
- Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.
You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.
- The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding.
- If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must: ►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while receiving this drug: Keep using birth control until 3 months after the last dose. Discuss with your healthcare team.
- Do not breastfeed while receiving this drug.
- This medication may affect fertility (ability to get pregnant)
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This drug is given by injection into a vein.
- You will be given drug(s) before temsirolimus to prevent a reaction.
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DO NOT eat or drink grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges or their juices (or products that contain these) while taking this drug. They may increase the amount of drug in your blood and increase side effects.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
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For mild aches and pain or fever:
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If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
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You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
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Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
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Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
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If you injure yourself or have surgery, your wounds may take longer to heal or may not fully heal. Check with your health care team before you have any surgery or visit your dentist.
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Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting temsirolimus. The table is set up to list the most common side effects first and the least common last. It is unlikely that you will have all of the side effects listed and you may have some that are not listed.
Read over the side effect table so that you know what to look for and when to get help. Refer to this table if you experience any side effects while on temsirolimus.
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High blood sugar
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible | ||||
Increased cholesterol or fat levels in the blood Your doctor may check your cholesterol levels regularly. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Abnormal liver lab tests (may be severe)
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Abnormal kidney lab tests (may be severe)
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Fatigue (tiredness)
See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Rash; dry, itchy skin (may be severe) Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away. To prevent and treat dry skin,
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness (may be severe) To help prevent swelling :
If you have swelling in your legs, keep your feet up when sitting.
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mouth sores You may have round, painful, white or gray sores inside your mouth. They can occur on the tongue, lips, gums, or inside your cheeks. In more severe cases they may make it hard swallow, eat or to brush your teeth. They usually last 1 to 2 weeks. To help prevent mouth sores:
If you have mouth sores:
See the Mouth Care pamphlet for more information.
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible | ||||
Nausea and vomiting (generally mild) May occur in hours to days after your treatment. If you have nausea or vomiting:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low appetite
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Fever, chills, infection You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:
If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room.
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Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
Cough; feeling short of breath You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Diarrhea May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment. If you have diarrhea :
See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Unusual bleeding or bruising (may be severe)
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Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
Salt imbalances It may cause muscle twitching, severe weakness or cramping, confusion and irregular heartbeat. |
Get emergency medical help right away |
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Pains or cramps in the belly
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Constipation To help prevent constipation :
To help treat constipation :
See the Constipation Pamphlet for more information.
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Taste changes
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Nail changes
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Trouble falling asleep
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- fever, itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, chest and throat tightness
- pain, swelling and hardening of the vein in an arm or leg.
- trouble breathing, have pain in your chest or cough up blood
- irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fainting spells or swelling in your legs, ankles and belly
- sudden, severe pain in your belly or stomach area
- severe muscle pain or weakness and dark-coloured pee
- if you hurt yourself badly (wounds may take longer to heal or may not fully heal)
- seizures
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________ During the day I should contact:________________________________________________ Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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June 2024 Modified "What should I do before I have this medication?" section
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.