Hexalen (Oral)
Generic name:altretamine (oral route) [ al-TRET-a-meen ]
Drug class:Miscellaneous antineoplastics
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 5, 2022.
Altretamine should only be given under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic agents. Peripheral blood counts should be monitored at least monthly, prior to the initiation of each course of altretamine, and as clinically indicated. Because of the possibility of altretamine-related neurotoxicity, neurologic examination should be performed regularly during altretamine administration .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Hexalen
Uses for Hexalen
Altretamine belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics. It is used to treat cancer of the ovaries. It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.
Altretamine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by altretamine, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with altretamine, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Altretamine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using Hexalen
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
There is no specific information comparing use of altretamine in children with use in other age groups.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of altretamine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it..
