Altretamine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Hexalen, hexamethylmelamine

Category

• Antineoplastic

Description

Altretamine (al-TRET-a-meen) 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 in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S. -

• Hexalen

In Canada -

• Hexalen

Another commonly used name is hexamethylmelamine .