Torisel

Generic name: Temsirolimus
Drug class: MTOR inhibitors

Usage of Torisel

Torisel is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Torisel is used to treat cancer of the kidneys, also called renal cell carcinoma.

Torisel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Torisel side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Torisel (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, warm, tingly, light-headed, or short of breath.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

cough, chest pain, wheezing, trouble breathing;

stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools;

pain or burning when you urinate, blood in your urine;

a surgical incision that will not heal;

low blood cell counts - fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;

kidney problems - little or no urination, puffy eyes, swelling in your feet or ankles, weight gain, urine that looks foamy; or

low potassium level - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Side effects such as diarrhea, swelling, and breathing problems may be more likely in older adults.

Common Torisel side effects may include:

low blood cell counts;

feeling weak or tired;

mouth sores or ulcers;

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

swelling;

headache, joint pain;

rash; or

abnormal blood tests.

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.

Before taking Torisel

You should not use Torisel if you have severe liver disease.

To make sure Torisel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease;

kidney disease;

high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);

diabetes;

a head injury or brain tumor; or

an allergy to temsirolimus or sirolimus (Rapamune).

Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Temsirolimus can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or father is using this medicine.

Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose of Torisel. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Torisel.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because temsirolimus can harm an unborn baby.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine and for at least 3 weeks after your last dose.

Relate drugs

How to use Torisel

Usual Adult Dose for Renal Cell Carcinoma:

25 mg IV infusion over a 30 to 60 minute period once a week Duration of therapy: Treat until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity Comments: IV diphenhydramine 25 to 50 mg (or similar antihistamine) should be given approximately 30 minutes before the start of each dose Use: Advanced renal cell carcinoma

Warnings

You should not use Torisel if you are allergic to temsirolimus or if you have severe liver disease. Do not use Torisel if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication and for at least 3 months after your treatment ends.

Before you receive Torisel, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, an allergy to sirolimus (Rapamune), or a history of head injury, stroke, or brain tumor.

Temsirolimus can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Do not receive a live vaccine. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

There are many other drugs that can interact with temsirolimus. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

There are many other drugs that can interact with Torisel. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

What other drugs will affect Torisel

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with temsirolimus, especially:

sunitinib;

St. John's Wort;

an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

an antidepressant;

antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS;

a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

heart or blood pressure medicine, especially an ACE inhibitor or calcium channel blocker (such as amlodipine, Benazepril, diltiazem, ramipril, verapamil, and many others);

insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or

seizure medicine.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Torisel. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.