Temozolomide

Temozolomide In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Oral alkylating agent.
• Has the ability to alkylate or methylate DNA (which most often occurs at the N–7 or O–6 positions of guanine residues). This methylation damages DNA and
  leads to cell death.

Uses of Temozolomide

• Preliminary investigations have evaluated temozolomide in canine lymphoma, melanoma and gliomas.

Dose of Temozolomide in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• 60–65 mg/m2 p.o. q24h for 5 consecutive days every month (28 days) for 4 to 6 cycles.
• 100 mg/m2 p.o. q24h for 5 consecutive days every 2 weeks is described for relapsed lymphoma.

Cats:

• Not advised based on early toxicity studies.

Side Effects of Temozolomide in Dogs and Cats

• May cause myelosuppression and gastrointestinal adverse events, lethargy, polydipsia and altered renal and hepatic parameters are also described.

Contraindications of Temozolomide in Dogs and Cats

• Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity.
• Do not use in patients with pre-existing bone marrow suppression.
• Should be used with caution in patients with hepatic or renal function.