This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Ojemda
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat a type of brain tumor.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
If your child is breast-feeding a baby:
- Be sure your child does not breast-feed a baby while taking this drug and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
This drug may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by the doctor.
- Your child may get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and dress your child in clothing and eyewear that protects from the sun.
- Low white and red blood cell counts have happened with this drug. If white blood cell counts get low, the chance of getting an infection may be raised. If red blood cell counts get low, this can lead to anemia and a blood transfusion. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- If your child’s weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of this drug may need to be changed.
- This drug may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
- This drug may affect fertility. Fertility problems may lead to not being able to get pregnant or father a child. If your child plans to get pregnant or father a child, talk with the doctor before your child takes this drug.
- If your child is of childbearing age, a pregnancy test will need to be done before starting this drug to make sure your child is not pregnant.
If your child is pregnant:
- This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if your child takes it during pregnancy.
- If your child may become pregnant, have your child use birth control while taking this drug and for 28 days after the last dose. Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. If your child uses hormone-based birth control, have your child use some other kind of birth control also, like condoms. If your child gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.
- If your child’s sex partner may become pregnant, have them use birth control that is not hormone-based, like condoms, while taking this drug and for 2 weeks after the last dose. If your child’s partner gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
- Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes; confusion; muscle pain, cramps, or spasms; weakness; shakiness; change in balance; an abnormal heartbeat; seizures; loss of appetite; or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Dizziness.
- Swelling.
- Skin reactions are common with this drug. Sometimes skin reactions can be severe. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has any new or worse skin reactions. This includes a rash, bumps, acne, peeling, redness, or blisters.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Change in color of hair.
- Dry skin.
- Itching.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Signs of a common cold.
- Change in nails.
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
- Headache.
- Stomach pain.
- Constipation, diarrhea, throwing up, and upset stomach are common with this drug. If these happen, talk with your child’s doctor about ways to lower these side effects. Call your child’s doctor right away if any of these effects bother your child, do not go away, or are severe.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All products:
- Give this drug with or without food.
- This drug is only taken once a week.
- If your child throws up right after taking a dose, give the dose again. If you are not sure if you need to give a dose again, talk with your child’s doctor.
- Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
Tablets:
- Have your child swallow whole with a full glass of water.
- Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
Powder for suspension:
- Do not use if the bottle is broken or damaged.
- This drug comes with an adapter and oral dosing syringes. Use the adapter and syringe to add 14 mL of room temperature water to the bottle. Put the cap back on and shake well. Be sure you know how to mix after adding the water. If you have any questions, read the package insert or talk with the doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not shake for longer than 2 minutes. If you still see powder after 2 minutes, call the doctor or pharmacist.
- After mixing, measure doses carefully. Use the dosing syringe that comes with this drug. Each syringe is for one use only. Throw syringe away after use.
- Give your child the dose within 15 minutes after mixing. Throw away any part not used within 15 minutes of mixing.
- Have your child sit upright to take a dose. Place the tip of the syringe into the mouth on the inside of the cheek. Gently push the plunger until all the drug is gone. Do not squirt quickly. This could cause choking.
- Each bottle is for one use only. Throw away the opened bottle and any part of prepared suspension not used after the dose is given.
- Those who have certain feeding tubes may use this drug. This drug is not for use with some feeding tubes. Talk with the doctor. Use as you have been told. Flush the feeding tube after this drug is given.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it. After giving a missed dose, give the next dose on your child’s normal day.
- If your child misses a dose by more than 3 days, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose on your child’s normal day.
- If you are not sure what to do if your child misses a dose, call the doctor.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
All products:
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Tablets:
- Do not take this drug out of the blister pack until you are ready to give this drug to your child. Give this drug right away after opening the blister pack. Do not store the removed drug for future use.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-09-05
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