The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Tiredness (61%)
- Hair loss (55%)
- Nausea (49%)
- Vomiting (29%)
- Low appetite (27%)
- Headache (23%)
- Constipation (22%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Rash
- Dry skin
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Blurry vision
- Joint pain
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Low white blood cell count
- Low platelets
- Injection site reactions, like pain and irritation (with the IV infusion only)
Note: Side effects listed for [[EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NAME]] by itself as maintenance therapy for glioblastoma. Side effects might differ when taken with radiation or for people with anaplastic astrocytoma.
Temozolomide serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious lung infection: fever, cough, trouble breathing, weakness
- Serious liver problems: belly pain, yellow skin, yellow eyes, swollen belly
- Low platelets: unexplained bruising, nosebleeds
- Serious infection (from having low white blood cell counts): temperature of 100.4ºF or higher, with or without other symptoms, such as chills, cough, muscle aches, very fast heartbeat, confusion
Source: DailyMed
The following Temozolomide side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
Amnesia
black, tarry stools
blood in the urine or stools
convulsions
cough or hoarseness
fever or chills
lower back or side pain
muscle weakness or paralysis on one or both sides of the body
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red spots on the skin
swelling of the feet or lower legs
unusual bleeding or bruising
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
clay colored stools
decreased appetite
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
headache
joint or muscle pain
nausea or vomiting
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
yellow skin or eyes
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common or rare
blurred or double vision
breast pain (in females)
burning or prickling feeling on the skin
confusion
difficulty with speaking
drowsiness
increased urge to urinate
loss of appetite
loss of muscle coordination
mental depression
runny or stuffy nose
trouble sleeping
unusual weight gain
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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