Thiotepa (Thiotepa Injection) Drug Information: Side Effects and Drug Interactions

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May 27, 2012

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Thiotepa

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SIDE EFFECTS

In addition to its effect on the blood-forming elements (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections), thiotepa (thiotepa (thiotepa injection) injection) may cause other adverse reactions.

General: Fatigue, weakness. Febrile reaction and discharge from a subcutaneous lesion may occur as the result of breakdown of tumor tissue.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergic reactions - rash, urticaria, laryngeal edema, asthma, anaphylactic shock, wheezing.

Local Reactions: Contact dermatitis, pain at the injection site.

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia.

Renal: Dysuria, urinary retention. There have been rare reports of chemical cystitis or hemorrhagic cystitis following intravesical, but not parenteral administration of thiotepa (thiotepa (thiotepa injection) injection) .

Respiratory: Prolonged apnea has been reported when succinylcholine was administered prior to surgery, following combined use of thiotepa (thiotepa (thiotepa injection) injection) and other anticancer agents. It was theorized that this was caused by decrease of pseudocholinesterase activity caused by the anticancer drugs.

Neurologic: Dizziness, headache, blurred vision.

Skin: Dermatitis, alopecia. Skin depigmentation has been reported following topical use.

Special Senses: Conjunctivitis.

Reproductive: Amenorrhea, interference with spermatogenesis.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

It is not advisable to combine, simultaneously or sequentially, cancer chemotherapeutic agents or a cancer chemotherapeutic agent and a therapeutic modality having the same mechanism of action. Therefore, thiotepa (thiotepa (thiotepa injection) injection) combined with other alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustard or cyclophosphamide or thiotepa (thiotepa (thiotepa injection) injection) combined with irradiation would serve to intensify toxicity rather than to enhance therapeutic response. If these agents must follow each other, it is important that recovery from the first agent, as indicated by white blood cell count, be complete before therapy with the second agent is instituted.

Other drugs which are known to produce bone-marrow depression should be avoided.

Last reviewed on RxList: 11/20/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.