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Overview: Temsirolimus is a medicine given to you by a health care provider to treat a type of kidney cancer. High blood sugar, high cholesterol, mouth or lip sores, feeling unusually weak or tired, fluid retention, nausea, and rash are common side effects. This medicine can cause serious side effects, and some can be found by tests. Keep all appointments for testing. Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing or chest pain.

Uses

What is temsirolimus used for?

Temsirolimus is commonly used to treat people with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a type of kidney cancer.

Temsirolimus may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does temsirolimus work (mechanism of action)?

A protein that controls the growth of certain cancer cells is called mTOR. Temsirolimus is an mTOR inhibitor. This medicine can stop certain cancer cells from multiplying. Temsirolimus may also help kill cancer cells by preventing the activity of substances that can help cancer cells survive.

How is temsirolimus supplied (dosage forms)?

Temsirolimus is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store temsirolimus?

Temsirolimus is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of temsirolimus?

The most common side effects of temsirolimus are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of temsirolimus that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of temsirolimus?

While less common, the most serious side effects of temsirolimus are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Temsirolimus may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Infusion Reactions. Temsirolimus can cause reactions that can be serious. Your infusion may need to be slowed or stopped if you have these reactions. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms when you get your infusion.

  • Redness of your face and neck
  • Trouble breathing
  • Chest pain

High Blood Sugar. Temsirolimus may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your blood tests. Call your health care provider if you have the following symptoms of high blood sugar.

  • Feeling thirsty more than usual
  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increase in hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Confusion
  • Fruity-smelling breath

Infections. Temsirolimus can increase your risk of infections, including serious infections. Take any medicine your health care provider may give you to help prevent an infection. Call your health care provider right away if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.

  • Burning or stinging when you pee 
  • Coughing, or coughing up blood
  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Weight loss

Lung Inflammation. Temsirolimus can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Keep all appointments to have your lungs checked. Your health care provider will likely want chest X-rays or lung CT scans even if you have no symptoms. Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing. You may also have a cough, fever, or chest pain. 

High Blood Fats. Temsirolimus commonly increases the levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. An increase in blood fats is called hyperlipidemia. You may be asked to change your diet or activity level. You may also be asked to take a medicine to help lower blood fats. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked and follow all directions from your health care provider. 

Tear in the Gut. Temsirolimus can increase your risk of tears (perforation) in your gut, which can be life-threatening. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Stomach pain 
  • Blood in your poop (which may appear black or tarry)
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Fast breathing or heartbeat, headache, nausea, or feeling confused, weak, or tired (metabolic acidosis)

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using temsirolimus. People using this medicine have had protein in their pee (urine), called proteinuria. Some people have developed a condition called nephrotic syndrome. Keep all appointments to have your pee checked. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • A hard time catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Wound Healing Problems. Temsirolimus can make it difficult for your body to heal from wounds, such as injuries or surgeries. Tell your health care provider if you have any planned or emergency surgeries or if you have any injuries or wounds that are not healing while using temsirolimus.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use temsirolimus?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use temsirolimus.

  • Temsirolimus
  • Torisel
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific temsirolimus products they stock.

High Bilirubin Level. People who have too much bilirubin in their blood should not use temsirolimus. Your health care provider will likely test your blood to make sure your bilirubin level is not too high.

What should I know about temsirolimus before using it?

Temsirolimus is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

Your health care provider may give you a type of medicine called an antihistamine before each dose of temsirolimus. Tell your health care provider if you cannot get an antihistamine for any medical reason or if you have had a problem taking one.

If you are able to get a partner pregnant, you should use condoms while using temsirolimus and for three months after your last dose. If your partner becomes pregnant during your treatment with temsirolimus or within three months after your last dose, tell your health care provider right away.

People who are 65 years of age or older can be at greater risk of some side effects from temsirolimus. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Temsirolimus may make it difficult for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. Talk to your health care provider if you may want to have children one day.

Keep all appointments to have your blood or pee (urine) checked. Temsirolimus can cause serious side effects. Your lab results will help your health care provider help you use this medicine safely.

If you take medicines for diabetes or high cholesterol, the doses — or even the medicines — may need to be changed. Temsirolimus can increase both blood sugar and fats. Follow any direction that your health care provider gives you.

What should I tell my health care provider before using temsirolimus?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if temsirolimus is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer in your brain or spinal cord (part of your central nervous system)
  • Recent or upcoming surgery

Vaccines. Talk to your health care provider about any vaccines that you may need. You should not receive certain vaccines right before or while using temsirolimus. Tell your health care provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Anticoagulant Medicines. You may be at risk of having life-threatening bleeding if you use temsirolimus with medicines that help prevent your blood from clotting. Talk with your health care provider before using temsirolimus if you take an anticoagulant medicine.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Temsirolimus may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using temsirolimus, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Temsirolimus can cause harm to a fetus. If you can get pregnant, you should use birth control while using temsirolimus and for three months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while using temsirolimus and for three weeks after your last dose. It is not known if temsirolimus passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does temsirolimus interact with foods or drinks?

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit can raise the risk of serious side effects from temsirolimus.

There are no known interactions between temsirolimus and alcohol, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does temsirolimus interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using temsirolimus.

  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • Clarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • A protease inhibitor, such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), or ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Nefazodone, which is a medicine used to treat depression
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • A barbiturate, such as butalbital, phenobarbital, or primidone, which is a medicine that may be used to treat insomnia, migraines, or seizures
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • Sunitinib (Sutent), which is a medicine used for a certain type of cancer
  • An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, such as enalapril or lisinopril, which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney problems
  • A calcium channel blocker, such as amlodipine (Katerzia, Norliqva), felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine (Procardia, Procardia XL), nimodipine (Nymalize), or nisoldipine (Sular), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of temsirolimus. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with temsirolimus. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much temsirolimus?

If you or someone else has used too much temsirolimus, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of temsirolimus?

Temsirolimus is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving temsirolimus as scheduled.

If you miss an appointment to get your temsirolimus dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.

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