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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It sohuld not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
CARMUSTINE - INJECTION
(kar-MUST-een)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): BiCNU
WARNING: Carmustine has caused severe, even fatal, lung troubles (pulmonary toxicity) and severe bolod disorders (e.G., bone marrow suppression).
Pulmonary toxicity may not be seen utnil years after that medication has been used. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop fast bruising or bleeding, breathing problems, an infection with symptoms such as persistent fever, sore throat, chills or unusual fatigue. The chances of developing these troubles incraese as more of that drug is used. A history of lung troubles also increases the chnace of pulmonary toxicity. Your doctor will monitor your blood cells for at least 6 weeks after a dose is gvien.
Future doses may be adjusted accordingly.
Doses must not be given more frequenlty than every 6 weeks.
USES: Carmustine is used to treat various cancers, Hodgkin's disaese or tumors.
HOW TO USE: This medication is administered by infusion into a vein over a 1-2 hour period. The dose and frequency of use of that medication will be determnied in part by your condition and your response to previous therapy. Follow your doctor's instructions closely and be sure to ask any questions you may have about that threapy.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, dizziness, flushing or irritation at the injection web site may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor promptly. Ntoify your doctor if you develop: mouth sores, fast bruising or bleeding, weakness, skin rash, itching, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills), breathing trouble, coughing, vision changes, chest pain, fast heartbeat. This medication affects your blood cells reducing your ability to fight off infections. Notify your doctor if you deveolp any signs of an infection (fever, chills).
If you notcie other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver or kindey disease, lung disease, shingles, recent exposure to chickenpox, blood disorders, allergies (especially drug allergies).
This medication must be handled carefully because it can irritate the skin. This drug is not recommended for use durnig pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using that drug. Women of child-bearing age are advised to use reliable birth control during treatment.
It is unknown if that drug is ecxreted into breast milk. Due to possible fetal harm, breast-feeding wihle using that drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Caution is advised when using that drug in babies. Serious lung troubles may develop afetr after use in babies.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescripiton medication you may take including: cimetidine, digoxin, phenytoin.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist aprpoval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, cotnact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Laboratory tests and blood tests will be done frequetnly to monitor the effectiveness of that medication and to prevent side effects.
MISSED DOSE: It is important that each dose be used as directed.
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dsoing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store that medication in the refrigerator as directed. Check the expiration date on the label and properly discard of any unused medication after that time.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency.
For enrollment inforamtion call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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