Common side effects of Hexalen therapy include:
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
Some side effects can be serious. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following side effects:
- tingling of hands or feet
- mental confusion
- loss of coordination
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- dizziness
- fever
- chills
- rapid heartbeat
- fainting
- mood changes
- sore throat
- skin rash
This is not a complete list of Hexalen side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Hexalen is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Active ingredient: altretamine
Inactive ingredients: lactose, calcium stearate
Hexalen (generic: altretamine) is a prescription medication used to treat ovarian cancer in adults. Hexalen belongs to a group of drugs called alkylating agents, which slow or stop cancer cell growth.
This medication comes in capsule form and is taken 4 times a day, after meals and at bedtime.
Common side effects of Hexalen include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take cimitidine (Tagamet), other cancer medications, and antidepressants of the MAO inhibitor class such as:
- isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- phenelzine (Nardil)
- tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl)
This is not a complete list of Hexalen drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Before receiving Hexalen, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you:
- are allergic to Hexalen or any other medicine
- have seizure disorders, nervous system disease, or blood disorders
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
If you take too much Hexalen, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Store this medication at room temperature (between 59° to 86°F).
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Hexalen is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer after treatment with other medications has not been effective.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Hexalen comes as a capsule to be taken by mouth, 4 times a day, after meals and at bedtime. It is usually taken in a repeated cyclee for 14 to 21 days and then stopped for 14 to 21 days.
Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by this drug.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Hexalen will harm your unborn baby, but this medication has been shown to be harmful when administered to pregnant rats and rabbits. Avoid pregnancy while receiving Hexalen. If you become pregnant while receiving this medication, tell your doctor right away.
Serious allergic reactions have been reported with Hexalen use. Do not take Hexalen if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- unexplained rash or hives
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty swallowing or a closing of the throat
- swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
Hexalen can cause other serious side effects including:
- decreased bone marrow function
- blood disorders
- neurologic problems such as mood disorders, disorders of consciousness, weakness, dizziness, vertigo)
- peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerves)
Your doctor will order certain tests before, during, and after treatment to monitor side effects.
WARNINGS
- Hexalen capsules should only be given under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic agents.
- Peripheral blood counts should be monitored at least monthly, prior to the initiation of each course of Hexalen capsules, and as clinically indicated.
- Because of the possibility of Hexalen capsules-related neurotoxicity, neurologic examination should be performed regularly during Hexalen capsules administration
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Hexalen there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Hexalen.
The Hexalen dose your doctor recommends will be based on your height and weight. The recommended dose is 260 mg/m²/day. It is important you take this medication exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Do not change your dose unless instructed to do so by your doctor. Do not stop taking Hexalen without first talking to your doctor.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.