thiotepa

Generic Name: thiotepa (THYE oh TEP a)

Brand Names: Thioplex

What is thiotepa?

Thiotepa is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Thiotepa interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Thiotepa is used in the treatment of cancers of the breast, ovary, bladder, and others.

Thiotepa may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about thiotepa?

Thiotepa should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of thiotepa including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); severe heart damage with prolonged use; decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection); severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with thiotepa.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using thiotepa?

Do not use thiotepa without first talking to your doctor if you have

• kidney disease;


• liver disease; or


• 
  

  poor bone marrow function.

  
  

The use of thiotepa may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Thiotepa is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that thiotepa is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use thiotepa without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with thiotepa if either you or your partner is of childbearing potential. It is not known whether thiotepa passes into breast milk. Do not take thiotepa without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. The safety and effectiveness of thiotepa in children has not been established.

How should I use thiotepa?

Thiotepa should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with thiotepa depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with thiotepa to monitor progress and side effects.

Skin accidentally exposed to thiotepa should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Your healthcare provider will store thiotepa as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing thiotepa at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of thiotepa.

What happens if I overdose?

If for any reason an overdose of thiotepa is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a thiotepa overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while using thiotepa?

Thiotepa can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with thiotepa. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

Skin accidentally exposed to thiotepa should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Thiotepa side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects from thiotepa, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• 
  

  an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  
  


• 
  

  decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection);

  
  


• 
  

  tissue or vein reactions near the site of administration;

  
  


• 
  

  liver damage (abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  
  


• 
  

  severe nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite;

  
  


• 
  

  fever, chills, or other signs of infection; or

  
  


• 
  

  painful or difficult urination.

  
  

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking thiotepa and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• 
  

  fatigue or weakness;

  
  


• 
  

  mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite;

  
  


• 
  

  redness or inflammation of the eyes;

  
  


• 
  

  dizziness, headache, or blurred vision;

  
  


• 
  

  temporary hair loss;

  
  


• 
  

  a loss of skin coloration; or

  
  


• 
  

  decreased menstruation in women and decreased sperm production in men.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Thiotepa Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer:

0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg by rapid IV administration once.

Usual Adult Dose for Ovarian Cancer:

0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg by rapid intravenous administration once.

Usual Adult Dose for Serosal Cavity Neoplastic Disease:

0.6 to 0.8 mg/kg by intracavitary injection once

Usual Adult Dose for Bladder Cancer:

30 to 60 mg by intravesical instillation once, for the treatment of superficial bladder tumors

Usual Adult Dose for Lymphoma:

500 to 1000 mg intravenously once, for the treatment of refractory lymphomas

Usual Adult Dose for Malignant Disease:

0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg by rapid IV administration once.
or
0.6 to 0.8 mg/kg by intracavitary injection once.
or
0.6 to 0.8 mg/kg by intratumor injection once.
or
30 to 60 mg by intravesical instillation once.
or
10 to 15 mg by intrathecal injection once.
or
500 to 1000 mg IV once.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malignant Disease:

Sarcomas: 25 to 65 mg/m2 IV as a single dose every 3 to 4 weeks.

Autologous bone marrow transplantation: 300 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours, repeat every 24 hours for 3 doses. The maximum tolerated dose is 1125 mg/m2 over 3 days.

What other drugs will affect thiotepa?

Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with thiotepa. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with thiotepa.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with thiotepa. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with thiotepa.

More thiotepa resources

• Thiotepa Side Effects (in more detail)
• Thiotepa Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Thiotepa Drug Interactions
• Thiotepa Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Thiotepa - Add your own review/rating

• thiotepa Injection Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Thiotepa Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Thiotepa Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Thiotepa MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare thiotepa with other medications

• Bladder Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Cancer
• Lymphoma
• Ovarian Cancer
• Serosal Cavity Neoplastic Disease

Where can I get more information?

• Your healthcare provider may have additional information about thiotepa that you may read.

See also: thiotepa side effects (in more detail)