totect

Totect (dexrazoxane) is used to protect the heart and other tissues from harmful side effects caused by certain cancer medications.

Totect is used in men or women to treat a condition called extravasation (es-TRA-va-ZAY-shun). Extravasation happens when an injected medicine escapes from the blood vessels and circulates into tissues in the body. Serious tissue damage can occur when extravasation happens during injection of certain cancer medications.

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

Important information

You should not receive Totect if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. If possible before you receive Totect, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Before you receive Totect, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Tell your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding, or sores your mouth or throat.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received Totect.

Before receiving Totect

Before you receive Totect, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Totect is rated as FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Totect if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. It is not known whether dexrazoxane passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Totect. In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with Totect to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.

How is Totect given?

Totect is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

Totect is usually started within 6 hours after extravasation, and continued once daily for 3 days.

Totect can add to the bone marrow lowering effects of chemotherapy. This can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill.

To be sure Totect is not causing harmful effects, your blood cells and kidney function will need to be tested often. Do not miss any follow up visits to your doctor for blood or urine tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Totect is given by a healthcare professional as part of your chemotherapy treatment, you are not likely to miss a dose.

Call your doctor if you miss a chemotherapy appointment.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid?

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

Totect side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Totect: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

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

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

• bruising, swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or bleeding of any surgical incision.

Less serious Totect side effects may include:

• swelling in your hands or feet;

• hair loss;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

• sore throat, trouble swallowing;

• dizziness, tired feeling; or

• pain, swelling, or redness where the medicine was injected.

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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Totect?

Some cancer medications may be less effective if they are used with Totect. Tell your doctor if your chemotherapy medications include:

• fluorouracil (5-FU, Adrucil);

• cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Totect. 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.