Torisel

Generic Name: temsirolimus (TEM sir OH li mus)

Brand Names: Torisel

What is temsirolimus?

Temsirolimus is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

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

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

What is the most important information I should know about temsirolimus?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to temsirolimus or if you have severe liver disease. Do not use temsirolimus 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.

If a man fathers a child while using this medication, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 3 months after you stop using temsirolimus.

Before you receive temsirolimus, 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.

What should I discuss with my doctor before receiving temsirolimus?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to temsirolimus or if you have severe liver disease.

To make sure you can safely receive temsirolimus, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  liver disease;

  
  


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

  
  


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  diabetes;

  
  


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  a history of head injury, stroke, or brain tumor; or

  
  


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  if you are allergic to sirolimus (Rapamune).

  
  

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use temsirolimus if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication and for at least 3 months after your treatment ends.

If a man fathers a child while using this medication, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 3 months after you stop using temsirolimus.

It is not known whether temsirolimus passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using temsirolimus.

How is temsirolimus given?

Temsirolimus is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Temsirolimus must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 60 minutes to complete.

Temsirolimus is usually given once each week unless your cancer progresses or you have serious side effects from the medication.

You may receive other medications before your temsirolimus infusion. These medications will help prevent certain side effects.

Temsirolimus can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using temsirolimus. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your temsirolimus injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while receiving temsirolimus?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using temsirolimus, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, and nasal flu vaccine.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with temsirolimus and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Temsirolimus side effects

Some people receiving a temsirolimus injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, warm, tingly, light-headed, short of breath, or have chest pain or trouble breathing during the injection. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

  
  


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  chest pain, dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;

  
  


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  severe stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

  
  


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  loss of movement on one side of your body;

  
  


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  drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, swelling, rapid weight gain;

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all;

  
  


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  pain or burning when you urinate;

  
  


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  pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

  
  


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  easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

  
  


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  any wound that will not heal; or

  
  


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  high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss).

  
  

Less serious side effects include mild skin rash

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  acne, dry skin, mild itching or rash;

  
  


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  nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

  
  


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  diarrhea, constipation;

  
  


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  hair loss;

  
  


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  headache, dizziness, problems with coordination;

  
  


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  muscle or joint pain, back pain;

  
  


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  pain, warmth, swelling, redness, itching, or irritation around the IV needle.

  
  


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  runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain;

  
  


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  depression, memory problems, sleep problems (insomnia), feeling weak or tired;

  
  


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  decreased sense of taste; or

  
  

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.

What other drugs will affect temsirolimus?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  conivaptan (Vaprisol);

  
  


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  dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);

  
  


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  imatinib (Gleevec);

  
  


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  isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

  
  


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  St. John's wort;

  
  


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  sunitinib (Sutent);

  
  


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  a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

  
  


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  insulin or oral diabetes medications;

  
  


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  an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), or telithromycin (Ketek);

  
  


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  an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);

  
  


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  antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend);

  
  


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  heart or blood pressure medication such as nicardipine (Cardene) or quinidine (Quin-G);

  
  


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  HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra); or

  
  


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  seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

  
  

This list is not complete and 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.

More Torisel resources

• Torisel Side Effects (in more detail)
• Torisel Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Torisel Drug Interactions
• Torisel Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Torisel - Add your own review/rating

• Torisel Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Torisel Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Torisel Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Torisel Consumer Overview


• Torisel MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Temsirolimus Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Torisel with other medications

• Renal Cell Carcinoma

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about temsirolimus.

See also: Torisel side effects (in more detail)