替莫唑胺一个疗程几盒？多少钱？

Temozolomide is an important drug used to treat certain types of brain tumors, and knowing how many boxes a course of treatment requires, how much it costs, and information about use in special populations is critical for patients and their families. This article details these aspects and aims to provide comprehensive information to patients who require this drug.

How many boxes of temozolomide is required for one course of treatment

Adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme

For adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme, during the concurrent chemoradiotherapy period (a total of 42 days), 75 mg/m² is taken orally daily and concurrently receive radiotherapy (60Gy in 30 fractions). This is followed by 6 cycles of adjuvant treatment, each cycle including the first cycle at a dose of 150 mg/m²/day for 5 days, followed by 23 days of drug withdrawal; if there are no adverse reactions, the dose in the second cycle can be increased to 200 mg/m²/day and maintained at this dose.

Based on the above usage and dosage, a complete course of treatment requires approximately 10 boxes of 100mg or 5 boxes of 250mg temozolomide capsules.

Patients with recurrent or progressive pleomorphic or anaplastic astrocytoma

For patients with recurrent or progressive pleomorphic or anaplastic astrocytoma, patients who have not previously received chemotherapy should take 200 mg/m² orally daily for 5 days, every 28 days as a cycle. For patients who have previously received chemotherapy, the starting dose is 150 mg/m²/day for 5 days.

Based on this treatment plan, a course of treatment usually requires about 5 boxes of 100 mg temozolomide capsules or 2-3 boxes of 250 mg temozolomide capsules.

How much does temozolomide cost

The price of the Cipla version in India

The generic version of temozolomide produced by Cipla in India is available in two specifications: 100mg*5 pills priced at approximately US$21 per box, and 250mg*5 pills priced at approximately US$39 per box. This price setting makes treatment more affordable for more patients.

Cipla’s generic version of temozolomide is not only affordable, but has also passed bioequivalence testing, ensuring similar efficacy to the original drug.

The price of the Indian version of Hydron

In contrast, the generic version of temozolomide produced by India's Hydron offers three different specifications. Among them, the price of 100mg*5 pills is about US$38 per box, the price of 20mg*5 pills is US$34 per box, and the price of 250mg*5 pills is as high as about US$51 per box.

Although prices vary, these options provide patients with the possibility to choose the treatment that best suits their needs.

Special population use of temozolomide

Pediatric patients

The safety and effectiveness of temozolomide in pediatric patients have not been established and should be used with caution. Due to lack of sufficient data, use in pediatric patients requires special caution.

Geriatric patients

No overall differences in the safety profile of temozolomide were observed between patients aged ≥65 years and younger patients, and dose adjustment is generally not required. Elderly patients (>70 years old) appear to be at greater risk for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.

Therefore, hematological parameters should be closely monitored in elderly patients when using temozolomide to prevent and manage potential side effects.

Patients with hepatic dysfunction

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A and B). For patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C), the recommended dose of temozolomide has not been established and should be used with caution.

By having a detailed understanding of the number of boxes required for a course of temozolomide treatment, price, and medication information for special groups, patients and their families can better plan the treatment process, rationally arrange drug purchases, follow doctors' recommendations, improve the success rate of treatment, and reduce the financial burden.