Treosulfan capsules

About treosulfan

Treosulfan is used to treat ovarian cancer in women. In cancer, certain cells in your body grow and multiply too fast. Chemotherapy medicines like treosulfan work by preventing cells from multiplying. This reduces the number of cancer cells made.

Treosulfan may be given alongside other medicines or treatments to help treat your condition.

Before taking treosulfan

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking treosulfan it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you have an infection or feel unwell.

• If you have a rare inherited blood condition called porphyria.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

How to take treosulfan

• Before you start this treatment, read any printed information you have been given by your doctor and the printed manufacturer's leaflet from inside the pack of capsules. These will give you more information about treosulfan and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Treosulfan will be prescribed for you by a specialist doctor who is experienced in treating your condition. It is taken in cycles. This means that you will take the capsules every day for a number of weeks and then have a number of weeks without them. This cycle is then repeated. Your doctor will calculate what dose is right for you and will tell you how many capsules to take each day and on which days to take them. It is important that you take treosulfan exactly as you are told to by your doctor. If you are unsure about which days to take the capsules, or if you have any other concerns, you should contact your doctor or hospital clinic for advice.

• Swallow treosulfan capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or crush the capsules before you swallow, as this may cause ulcers to develop in your mouth.

• If you are sick (vomiting) shortly after taking a dose, or if you forget to take a dose at the correct time, contact your doctor or clinic for advice on what to do.

• While you are taking treosulfan, it is important that you drink plenty of fluid and that you pass urine frequently. Drinking lots of water and other fluids will help prevent a serious type of cystitis sometimes caused by this medicine.

Getting the most from your treatment

• You must try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor or hospital. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. You will need to have regular blood tests and check-ups during your treatment with treosulfan.

• While you are taking treosulfan and for six months after you have stopped the treatment, do not have any immunisations (vaccinations) without talking to your specialist doctor first. Treosulfan lowers your body's resistance and there is a risk that you will get an infection from some vaccines.

• It is important that you do not get pregnant while you are taking treosulfan. If appropriate, please discuss with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you and your partner.

Can treosulfan cause problems?

Medicines used to treat cancer can have a number of side-effects, some of which can be delayed for several days or weeks after taking the medicine. Most chemotherapy medicines can lower the number of white cells in your blood, which increases the risk of you getting an infection. While you are taking treosulfan you should take precautions to reduce the risk of getting an infection - you can do this by avoiding being with people who you know have an infection. If you think you are getting a sore throat or if you have a high temperature, please let your doctor know as soon as possible so that you can get some treatment straightaway.

Your doctor will discuss with you the possibility of unwanted side-effects from your treatment, although not everyone experiences these. The table below contains some of the side-effects associated with treosulfan. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Please let your doctor know if you experience any of the following:

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the capsules, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store treosulfan

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines