Altretamine works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

 

What is Altretamine?

 

The altretamine is used in the treatment of forms of cancer of the ovaries that do not improve or even tend to worsen after treatment with other drugs.

 

How should Altretamine be taken?

 

The altretamine is commercially available for oral use in the form of capsules. Generally, the dose is 4 administrations a day, one after each main meal and before going to sleep. The treatment can last from 14 to 21 consecutive days and may be repeated every 4 weeks.

 

Your doctor may change the dose of altretamine according to the patient’s individual response to treatment and possible adverse effects it may trigger.

 

Side effects associated with Altretamine

 

Altretamine can cause serious damage to the nerves. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as:

 

  • Pain, burning, numbness or tingling in hands or feet
  • Weakness in arms or legs
  • Loss of ability to move arms or legs
  • Mood changes
  • Loss of consciousness

 

Among the other possible adverse effects of the drug are included:

 

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Tiredness or weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Pallor
  • Fainting
  • Skin rash
  • Itching
  • Hair loss

 

It is important to contact a doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if the treatment is associated with:

 

  • Fever, chills, sore throat, cough and persistent congestion or other symptoms of an infection in progress
  • Bruising or bleeding
  • Blood in the stool or dark stools
  • Vomiting of blood or material similar to coffee
  • Bleeding gums
  • Small round spots and reddish skin

 

Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Altretamine

 

Prior to beginning treatment with altretamine it is important to tell your doctor if:

 

  • You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other drug
  • You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, especially cimetidine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine and pyridoxine
  • You have ever been treated with chemotherapy such as bendamustine, cisplatin, carmustine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, lomustine, melphalan, procarbazine, temozolomide or thioguanine
  • You are suffering (or have suffered) from nervous system disorders or diseases of the blood
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding