
Treosulfan Injection
What is this medication?
TREOSULFAN (TREE oh SUL fan) helps prepare your body before a stem cell transplant. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your bone marrow. This makes room for the transplanted cells to grow.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): GRAFAPEX
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- DNA breakage disorders, such as Fanconi anemia
- Seizures
- An unusual or allergic reaction to treosulfan, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- If you or your partner are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breastfeeding
How should I use this medication?
This medication is infused into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medication?
This medication may affect how other medications work. Talk with your care team about all the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.
This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.
You may need blood work done while taking this medication.
This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.
Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.
This medication can cause serious side effects. To reduce the risk, your care team may give you other medications to take before receiving this one. Follow the directions from your care team.
This medication can cause swelling, redness, itching, or rashes on the skin. Clean areas of the skin that get sweaty, such as the armpit or groin, with a disposable washcloth and water. Wear loose clothing. Keep the skin clean and dry on the days you have chemotherapy. Do not apply cream to the skin on these days. Change diapers often for 12 hours after each infusion.
Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancer if you take this medication.
Talk to your care team if you or your partner may be pregnant. Serious birth defects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy and for 6 months after the last dose. You will need a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 6 months after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.
If your partner can get pregnant, use a condom during sex while taking this medication and for 3 months after the last dose. Tell your care team right away if you think your partner might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for 1 week after the last dose.
This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
- Painful swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin, blisters or sores at the infusion site
- Seizures
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Pain, redness, or swelling with sores inside the mouth or throat
- Skin rash
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Vomiting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.