About thiotepa
Alkylating chemotherapy agent
Used for
- Conditioning before stem-cell transplantation, often with other chemotherapy.
- Treatment of certain breast, ovarian, bladder, and brain cancers.
Usual adult dose
Varies greatly by cancer and transplant regimen; specialist-supervised dosing is based on body surface area or weight.
Usual dose in children
Used in children for selected cancers and transplant conditioning; specialist dosing varies by regimen and body size.
Common side effects
- Low blood-cell counts, increasing infection and bleeding risk.
- Nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, and diarrhea.
- Skin reactions, including rash and peeling.
- Liver, kidney, or nervous-system problems.
Important warnings
- Can cause severe, potentially life-threatening bone-marrow suppression and infections.
- Requires specialist monitoring of blood counts and organ function.
- May cause serious skin toxicity; careful skin hygiene is important.
- Can harm fertility and may cause secondary cancers.
Pregnancy
Can cause fetal harm. Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment; timing depends on the treatment regimen.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment because of potential serious harm to the infant.
Interactions
- Other chemotherapy or radiation may increase toxicity.
- Live vaccines may cause infection during immune suppression.
- Medicines affecting liver enzymes may alter thiotepa exposure.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.