Carmustine
Description
Carmustine is an anticancer agent which is used in the treatment of various cancers of the blood, brain, and bone marrow. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of lung function and blood cell count is necessary while receiving this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Carmustine
- Decrease in blood cell count
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Infections
- Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Convulsions
- Confusion
- Depression
- Speech disorder
- Brain edema
- Visual disturbances
- Hair loss
- Skin rash
Uses of Carmustine
What is it prescribed for?
- Brain/Intracranial Tumor
- Multiple Myeloma
- Hodgkin's Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Glioblastoma Multiforme
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Carmustine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Bonemarrow suppression
This medicine may cause bone marrow suppression which in turn lowers the white blood cell count (neutrophils) and platelets. Close monitoring of blood cell count is necessary. The baseline of the blood cell count should be obtained before initiation of the treatment. Do not start the treatment if the counts are less.
Lung toxicity
This medicine may increase the risk of toxic effects on the lungs and could lead to respiratory failure. The lung toxicity is dose-related and close monitoring of lung function is recommended during the therapy with this medicine. Any symptoms of lung toxicity should be informed to the doctor on priority. The treatment should be discontinued if such symptoms appear.
Secondary Malignancies
This medicine is known to increase the risk of secondary cancers including acute leukemia, myeloproliferative syndrome and other carcinomas. Close monitoring of signs and symptoms is necessary. The treatment should be discontinued if malignancy develops.
Administration reactions
Rapid intravenous infusion of this medicine may cause injection site reactions and intensive flushing of the skin and suffusion of the conjunctiva. Close monitoring of the infusion site for possible infiltration during the administration of this medicine is recommended.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease or who are at risk of kidney failure due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Renal toxicity is seen in patients who received large doses of Carmustine. Regular monitoring of the kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Eye toxicity
Use of this medicine may cause eye related toxicities. Close monitoring of visual function is recommended during the therapy with this medicine. Report any symptoms of eye toxicity to the doctor immediately. The treatment should be discontinued if the signs and symptoms of eye injury appear.
CNS toxicity
The implants of this medicine after a brain tumor surgery are associated with many central nervous system toxicities such as brain edema, convulsions, depression, impaired neurosurgical wound healing, intracranial hypertension, etc. Report any symptoms of CNS toxicity to the doctor immediately. Appropriate corrective measures will be initiated by your physician in such cases.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Contraception
Use of this medicine may increase the risk of harm to the unborn baby in pregnant women. Effective contraception is advised for the women with the childbearing potential to avoid such risks. Birth controls should be administered while receiving this medicine and for 6 months post-therapy to prevent the pregnancy.
Missed Dose
This medicine is usually given in a clinical setting so the likelihood of missing a dose is very less. If you miss any chemotherapy session you should contact your doctor immediately and fix an appointment as recommended by your doctor.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Etanercept
Ganciclovir
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Disease interactions
Infections
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from infections due to the increased risk of bone marrow suppression which causes worsening of infections. Report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from bone marrow suppression which causes anemia and infections. Report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as bleeding or symptoms of anemia, fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction since it may worsen the condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close clinical monitoring of liver function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine. The blood cells count and kidney function should be assessed before starting the treatment. Any signs and symptoms of heart and lung dysfunction should be reported to the doctor on priority.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by interfering with the DNA synthesis and inhibits the tumor growth.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Alkylating agents
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
Carmustine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 30 Jan 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.