You will be starting chemotherapy with monthly cycles of Temodar (temozolomide). This means you will take Temodar for 5 nights on and 23 nights off every month (28-day cycle) for a total of 612 cycles.

On day 21 of each cycle, you will be scheduled for a chemotherapy teaching visit with our nurse practitioner. Prior to this visit we ask that you stop by the lab that is located on the first floor of the Cancer Center to get a blood draw. If your labs are strong we will order you a refill of Temodar. Please contact the specialty pharmacy to arrange shipment of that cycle of Temodar to your home and wait for the official clearance from our team to start the next cycle.

Lab Tests for Brain Tumor Care

Instructions for taking the chemotherapy:

• Temodar is taken in the evening before bedtime.
• Take the prescribed Zofran (ondansetron) 1 hour before you take the Temodar at bedtime.
• Remember that you will probably need to take more than 1 pill when taking Temodar to make up the total dosage you have been prescribed. Make sure that the total dose you are taking matches the total dose on the Temodar prescription bottles.
• Taking Zofran and Temodar as described above should prevent any nausea. However, if you are experiencing nausea/vomiting, you can take 1 additional Zofran tablet every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
• Please do not forget to wash your hands before and after handling Temodar.

Common side effects:

1. Constipation - We recommend that you begin using a daily stool softener such as Colace (available over the counter). Additionally, drink plenty of water and engage in mild exercise such as a walk. Please contact us if you feel like this is no longer effective.   
2. Fatigue - Gentle exercise is great, but so are naps. You may find that you will need to break up activities with frequent periods of rest.

It is not recommended to have any dental work done while on chemotherapy. If you must have your teeth cleaned, please do not have any deep cleaning and ask the dentist to only clean above the gum line.

Contact us if you develop any fever/sign of infection or unusual bruising bleeding.

Please contact us for any questions or concerns at 650-498-6000 or contact The Stanford Brain Tumor Center via MyHealth.