Tomudex Injection (Raltitrexed)
Tomudex 2mg Injection
Raltitrexed
1. What Tomudex is and what it is used for
Tomudex contains a medicine called raltitrexed. This belongs to a group of medicines known as chemotherapy. These are used to treat cancer.
Tomudex is used to treat cancer which affects the colon and rectum (parts of your ‘bowel’ or gut).
It works by killing cells within your body which cause certain types of cancer. Your doctor will probably explain this to you in more detail.
2. Before you are given Tomudex
Do not have Tomudex if:
• You have severe kidney disease.
• You are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, are trying for a baby or you are breastfeeding.
Do not have Tomudex if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or nurse before having Tomudex.
Tomudex should not be given to children.
Take special care with Tomudex
Check with your doctor or nurse before having Tomudex if you have ever had:
• Any problems with your blood, kidneys or liver.
• Any stomach or bowel (gut) problems.
• Radiotherapy (treatment with high dose X-rays).
If you are elderly, your doctor or nurse will monitor you more closely for side effects. Elderly people can be more affected by the side effects of this kind of medicine.
If you have any other treatment for other problems or illnesses, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist that you are having Tomudex.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before having Tomudex.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines. This is because Tomudex can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Tomudex.
In particular, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
• Folinic or folic acid.
• Vitamins or vitamin supplements.
• Medicines to thin your blood and stop it clotting (anti-coagulants).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
• Do not have Tomudex if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or might become pregnant. This is because it may affect your baby.
• You should not try for a baby when either partner is having Tomudex, during the treatment or for at least 6 months after stopping treatment. This is because it may affect the baby.
• Do not have Tomudex if you are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
You may feel generally unwell or have flu-like symptoms for a short time after having Tomudex. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines.
3. How Tomudex will be given
• You will be given Tomudex by a doctor or nurse who is a specialist in the use of this type of medicine.
• Tomudex will be injected slowly into one of your veins. The injection will usually take 15 minutes.
• The exact dose you are given will be decided by your doctor. It will depend on your size and how you react to your treatment.
• The usual dose is 3 milligrams for each square metre of your body surface area. Your doctor will calculate this from your height and weight.
• Your doctor will need to take regular samples of your blood while you are having Tomudex. The results of your blood tests will also help the doctor to decide what dose you will receive. The dose you are given may be different each time.
• Tomudex is usually given every 3 weeks, but it could be less often, depending on the results of your blood tests.
You should follow any instructions that your doctor gives you about your treatment. If you are not sure about anything ask your doctor or nurse.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Tomudex can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine.
Tell your doctor or the hospital straight away if you notice any of the following side effects – you may need urgent medical treatment:
• Diarrhoea.
• Being sick (vomiting).
• High temperature (fever) or chills.
• Sore throat.
• Any infections.
• Soreness or ulcers inside your mouth.
• Bleeding from the gut. This may be connected to mucositis (inflammation of the mouth and gut lining).
Other possible side effects are:
Stomach and gut
• Loss of appetite.
• Indigestion.
• Feeling sick (nausea).
• Stomach pain.
• Constipation.
• Weight loss.
Joints and muscles
• Painful joints.
• Muscle cramps.
Skin and hair
• Swollen hands, ankles or feet.
• Itchy rash.
• Red or peeling skin.
• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice).
• Tenderness and swelling under the skin (cellulitis).
• Sweating.
• Hair loss or thinning.
Blood
Tomudex may cause changes to your blood. These occur because of effects on your bone marrow and your liver. Your doctor will take regular blood samples to check your blood.
Other
• Feeling thirsty or dry skin (signs of dehydration).
• Headache.
• Altered taste.
• Red or itchy eyes (conjunctivitis).
• Weakness (sometimes flu-like symptoms).
Do not be concerned by this list of possible side effects. You may not get any of them. If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
5. How to store Tomudex
This medicine will normally be stored for you by the hospital. The doctor and hospital pharmacist are responsible for storing, using and disposing of Tomudex correctly.
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Keep unopened vials in the outer carton to protect them from light.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Do not use Tomudex after the expiry date which is stated on the vial. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
6. Further information
What Tomudex contains
The active substance is raltitrexed. Each vial contains 2mg of raltitrexed.
The other ingredients are mannitol, dibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate and sodium
hydroxide.
What Tomudex looks like and the contents of the pack
Tomudex comes in containers of single glass vials containing a powder which is then made into a solution for injection into a vein. The vials are packed in cartons.
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