Carmustine (By injection)
kar-MUS-teen
Treats cancer, including brain tumors, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin disease, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Carmustine injection is used alone or together with other medicines to treat certain type of brain tumors (e.g., glioblastoma, brainstem glioma, medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymoma, and metastatic brain tumors), cancer of the lymph system (e.g., Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), and a certain type of cancer in the bone marrow (e.g., multiple myeloma). It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.
Carmustine belongs to the group of alkylating agents. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by carmustine, other effects may occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects (e.g., hair loss), 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 carmustine, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits this medicine will do as well as the risks.
This medicine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, carmustine injection is used in certain patients with the following conditions:
Cancer of the colon and rectum.
Cancer of the stomach.
Malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer).
Mycosis fungoides (tumors on the skin).
Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (a certain type of cancer of the blood).
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Carmustine must be given slowly, so you may need to have the IV attached for 1 to 2 hours.
Do not get the medicine on your skin. If it does get on your skin, wash the area well with soap and water, and tell your caregiver.
Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.
If you have your treatments at a clinic, the staff at the clinic will keep your medicine there.
If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not take cimetidine while you are using carmustine.
This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to carmustine.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or have liver, lung, or kidney disease, a bone marrow disorder, any kind of infection, or if you have had other chemotherapy.
You may get infections more easily while being treated with this medicine. Stay away from crowds or people with colds, flu, or other infections.
This medicine may make your mouth sore and irritated. Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush or mouth swab.
Cancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Pain, swelling, or burning where the IV is given
Shortness of breath, trouble breathing
Uncontrollable nausea or vomiting
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Unexplained fever, chills, or sore throat
Yellow skin or eyes
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Bicnu
There may be other brand names for this medicine.