Treosulfan

About Treosulfan

This belongs to the group of medicines known as alkylating drugs.

Treosulfan is available in capsule and injection form.

Before Taking Treosulfan

• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• if you are male or female and trying for a baby or intend to have children in the future
• if your bone marrow does not function properly
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to Take Treosulfan

• Take treosulfan exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• Treosulfan occasionally causes you to feel or be sick. It is important to keep taking this medicine at regular dosage times even if you begin to feel unwell.
• If you vomit shortly after taking a dose, or you forget a dose, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again, or wait until the next dose is due.
• Swallow treosulfan capsules whole, not crushed or chewed, with a glass of water.
• After treosulfan has been taken or administered it is recommended to drink more fluids and up to 24 hours after.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of treosulfan contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if empty.
• This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside treosulfan.
• Important: You must not get pregnant while taking treosulfan. If you are male, you must not get a woman pregnant. Ask your doctor, hospital or pharmacist about suitable contraception.
• You must keep your regular appointments with the doctor or hospital so your progress can be checked. You may need to have regular blood tests during your treatment with treosulfan.
• Treosulfan may cause severe nausea (feeling sick)or vomiting (being sick). Make sure you are feeling well before driving, operating machinery or doing other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not feeling well.
• Before having any kind of surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon you are taking treosulfan.
• While you are taking treosulfan, and for a while after you stop treatment, do not have any immunisations (vaccinations) without talking to your doctor first. Treosulfan lowers the body's resistance and there is a chance that you may get an infection from the vaccine.

Can Treosulfan cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects become troublesome.

Skin discolouration, feeling or being sick or stomatitis (sores in mouth and throat).

Treosulfan can lower the number of white cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. You should take certain precautions to reduce the chance of infection. If possible avoid people with infections and check with your doctor if you think you are getting an infection, fever (high temperature).

Mild hair loss has occasionally been reported with treosulfan, but it will grow back when treatment stops.

If you experience any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Treosulfan

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool dry place, away from food, direct heat and light.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 05/11/2003