Find a Drug
Advanced Search

Professional

Torisel

Side Effects & Drug Interactions
font size

SIDE EFFECTS

The following serious adverse reactions have been associated with TORISEL in clinical trials and are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label [see Warnings and PRECAUTIONS].

Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and PRECAUTIONS]
Hyperglycemia/Glucose Intolerance [see Warnings and PRECAUTIONS]
Interstitial Lung Disease [see Warnings and PRECAUTIONS]
Hyperlipemia [see Warnings and PRECAUTIONS]
Bowel Perforation [see Warnings and PRECAUTIONS]
Renal Failure (see Warnings and PRECAUTIONS]

The most common (≥ 30%) adverse reactions observed with TORISEL are rash, asthenia, mucositis, nausea, edema, and anorexia. The most common (≥ 30%) laboratory abnormalities observed with TORISEL are anemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, hypertriglyceridemia, lymphopenia, elevated alkaline phosphatase, elevated serum creatinine, hypophosphatemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated AST, and leukopenia.

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates in other trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

In the Phase 3 randomized, open-label study of interferon alfa (IFN-α) alone, TORISEL alone, and TORISEL and IFN-α, a total of 616 patients were treated. Two hundred patients received IFN-α weekly, 208 received TORISEL 25 mg weekly, and 208 patients received a combination of TORISEL and IFN-α weekly [see CLINICAL STUDIES)]

Treatment with the combination of TORISEL 15 mg and IFN-α was associated with an increased incidence of multiple adverse reactions and did not result in a significant increase in overall survival when compared with IFN-α alone.

Table 1 shows the percentage of patients experiencing treatment emergent adverse reactions. Reactions reported in at least 10% of patients who received TORISEL 25 mg alone or IFN-α alone are listed. Table 2 shows the percentage of patients experiencing selected laboratory abnormalities. Data for the same adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities in the IFN-α alone arm are shown for comparison.

Table 1 –Adverse Reactions Reported in at Least 10% of Patients Who Received 25 mg IV TORISEL or IFN-α in the Randomized Trial

Adverse Reaction TORISEL 25 mg
n=208
IFN-α
n=200
All Grades*
n (%)
Grades 3&4*
n (%)
All Grades*
n (%)
Grades 3&4*
n (%)
Any 208 (100) 139 (67) 199 (100) 155 (78)
General disorders
Asthenia 106 (51) 23 (11) 127 (64) 52 (26)
Edemaa 73 (35) 7 (3) 21 (11) 1 (1)
Pain 59 (28) 10 (5) 31 (16) 4 (2)
Pyrexia 50 (24) 1 (1) 99 (50) 7 (4)
Weight Loss 39 (19) 3 (1) 50 (25) 4 (2)
Headache 31 (15) 1 (1) 30 (15) 0 (0)
Chest Pain 34 (16) 2 (1) 18 (9) 2 (1)
Chills 17 (8) 1(1) 59 (30) 3 (2)
Gastrointestinal disorders
Mucositisb 86 (41) 6 (3) 19 (10) 0 (0)
Anorexia 66 (32) 6 (3) 87 (44) 8 (4)
Nausea 77 (37) 5 (2) 82 (41) 9 (5)
Diarrhea 56 (27) 3 (1) 40 (20) 4 (2)
Abdominal Pain 44 (21) 9 (4) 34 (17) 3 (2)
Constipation 42 (20) 0 (0) 36 (18) 1 (1)
Vomiting 40 (19) 4 (2) 57 (29) 5 (3)
Infections
Infectionsc 42 (20) 6 (3) 19 (10) 4 (2)
Urinary tract infectiond 31 (15) 3 (1) 24 (12) 3 (2)
Pharyngitis 25 (12) 0 (0) 3 (2) 0 (0)
Rhinitis 20 (10) 0 (0) 4 (2) 0 (0)
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Back Pain Arthralgia 41 (20) 37 (18) 6 (3) 2 (1) 28 (14)29 (15) 7 (4) 2 (1)
Any 208 (100) 139 (67) 199 (100) 155 (78)
Myalgia 16 (8) 1 (1) 29 (15) 2 (1)
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Dyspnea 58 (28) 18 (9) 48 (24) 11 (6)
Cough 53 (26) 2 (1) 29 (15) 0 (0)
Epistaxis 25 (12) 0 (0) 7 (4) 0 (0)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rashe 97 (47) 10 (5) 14 (7) 0(0)
Pruritus 40 (19) 1 (1) 16 (8) 0 (0)
Nail Disorder 28 (14) 0 (0) 1 (1) 0 (0)
Dry Skin 22 (11) 1 (1) 14 (7) 0 (0)
Acne 21 (10) 0 (0) 2 (1) 0 (0)
Nervous system disorders
Dysgeusiaf 41 (20) 0 (0) 17 (9) 0 (0)
Insomnia 24 (12) 1 (1) 30 (15) 0 (0)
Depression 9 (4) 0 (0) 27 (14) 4 (2)
* Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Version 3.0.
a Includes edema, facial edema, and peripheral edema
b Includes aphthous stomatitis, glossitis, mouth ulceration, mucositis, and stomatitis
c Includes infections not otherwise specified (NOS) and the following infections that occurred infrequently as distinct entities: abscess, bronchitis, cellulitis, herpes simplex, and herpes zoster
d Includes cystitis, dysuria, hematuria, urinary frequency, and urinary tract infection
e Includes eczema, exfoliative dermatitis, maculopapular rash, pruritic rash, pustular rash, rash (NOS), and vesiculobullous rash
f Includes taste loss and taste perversion

The following selected adverse reactions were reported less frequently (< 10%).

Gastrointestinal Disorders – Fatal bowel perforation occurred in 1 patient (1%).

Eye Disorders - Conjunctivitis (including lacrimation disorder) occurred in 15 patients (7%).

Immune System - Allergic/Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 18 patients (9%).

Angioneurotic edema-type reactions have been observed in some patients who received TORISEL and ACE inhibitors concomitantly.

Infections - Pneumonia occurred in 17 patients (8%); upper respiratory tract infection occurred in 14 patients (7%).

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions - Impaired wound healing occurred in 3 patients (1%).

Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders – Interstitial lung disease occurred in 5 patients (2%), including rare fatalities.

Vascular - Hypertension occurred in 14 patients (7%); venous thromboembolism (including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus) occurred in 5 patients (2%); thrombophlebitis occurred in 2 patients (1%).

Table 2 – Incidence of Selected Laboratory Abnormalities in Patients Who Received 25 mg IV TORISEL or IFN-α in the Randomized Trial

Laboratory Abnormality TORISEL 25 mg
n=208
IFN-α
n=200
All Grades*
n (%)
Grades 3&4*
n (%)
All Grades*
n (%)
Grades 3&4*
n (%)
Any 208 (100) 162 (78) 195 (98) 144 (72)
Hematology
Hemoglobin Decreased 195 (94) 41 (20) 180 (90) 43 (22)
Lymphocytes Decreased** 110 (53) 33 (16) 106 (53) 48 (24)
Neutrophils Decreased** 39 (19) 10 (5) 58 (29) 19 (10)
Platelets Decreased 84 (40) 3 (1) 51 (26) 0 (0)
Leukocytes Decreased 67 (32) 1 (1) 93 (47) 11 (6)
Chemistry
Alkaline Phosphatase Increased 141 (68) 7 (3) 111 (56) 13 (7)
AST Increased 79 (38) 5 (2) 103 (52) 14 (7)
Creatinine Increased 119 (57) 7 (3) 97 (49) 2 (1)
Glucose Increased 186 (89) 33 (16) 128 (64) 6 (3)
Phosphorus Decreased 102 (49) 38 (18) 61 (31) 17 (9)
Total Bilirubin Increased 16 (8) 2 (1) 25 (13) 4 (2)
Total Cholesterol Increased 181 (87) 5 (2) 95 (48) 2 (1)
Triglycerides Increased 173 (83) 92 (44) 144 (72) 69 (35)
Potassium Decreased 43 (21) 11 (5) 15 (8) 0 (0)
*NCI CTC version 3.0
**Grade 1 toxicity may be under-reported for lymphocytes and neutrophils

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Agents Inducing CYP3A Metabolism

Co-administration of TORISEL with rifampin, a potent CYP3A4/5 inducer, had no significant effect on temsirolimus Cmax (maximum concentration) and AUC (area under the concentration versus the time curve) after intravenous administration, but decreased sirolimus Cmax by 65% and AUC by 56% compared to TORISEL treatment alone. If alternative treatment cannot be administered, a dose adjustment should be considered [See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Agents Inhibiting CYP3A Metabolism

Co-administration of TORISEL with ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, had no significant effect on temsirolimus Cmax or AUC; however, sirolimus AUC increased 3.1-fold, and Cmax increased 2.2-fold compared to TORISEL alone. If alternative treatment cannot be administered, a dose adjustment should be considered. [See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Interactions with Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6

The concentration of desipramine, a CYP2D6 substrate, was unaffected when 25 mg of TORISEL was co-administered. No clinically significant effect is anticipated when temsirolimus is co-administered with agents that are metabolized by CYP2D6 or CYP3A4.

Brand Name: Torisel
Generic Name: Temsirolimus Injection

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Bookmark this page:


Women's Health

Find out what women really need.

WebMD Symptom Checker - Start Here Ringworm Slideshow: Watch and Learn

Kidney Cancer Surgery Kidney Cancer Surgery
Thousands of people are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year. But the diseased kidney doesn't always have to be removed.See more WebMD Videos »