Carmustine (Gliadel Wafer, BiCNU, BCNU)

Class of Drugs: Antineoplastic agents - Alkylating Agents

Manufacturer:
Bristol-MyersSquibb - Bristol-Myers Squibb - BiCNU, BCNU
Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Inc. - Gliadel Wafers

Information on Patient Assistance Program:

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance -
1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)
or
Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 1058
Somerville, NJ 8876
(http://www.bmspaf.org/ - Web Site is not currently available)

Description: This medication may be administered as an implant (Gliadel Wafers) or by injection (BiCNU,BCNU).

Ingredient: Carmustine

Use: This medication is used primarily for treating cancerous brain tumors, cancer in the bone marrow, colon, rectum, stomach, and lymph system, malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer), mycosis fungoides (tumors on the skin) and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (a certain type of cancer of the blood).

Warnings:
This medicine may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. As with many cancer medicines, sterility occurs commonly with Carmustine, but is usually only temporary.

This medicine may cause low red or white blood cell count, lung problems and liver problems that your doctor will watch for:

Carmustine may increase the side effects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood. Inform your doctor and your health care team if you are using any of the following medications and Carmustine has been prescribed:

• Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone),
• Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid),
• Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran),
• Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin),
• Colchicine,
• Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon),
• Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene),
• Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A),
• Plicamycin (e.g., Mithramycin),
• Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir),
• or if you have ever been treated with radiation or other cancer medicines.

Inform your doctor if you have chickenpox, including recent exposure or herpes zoster - shingles, since carmustine increases the risk of the virus becoming more virulent and affecting other parts of your body.

Carmustine decreases your body's ability to fight any infection, so let your doctor know at once if you notice any signs of a cold or other infection.

If you have kidney disease the effects of carmustine may be increased because of slower removal from the body. Liver disease increases the risk that Carmustine may cause side effects to your liver.

If you have any type of lung disease or smoke cigarettes, the risk of lung problems caused by carmustine may be increased.

Side Effects:Carmustine may cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. It is vital that you continue the medication even if you feel ill. Do not stop taking this medicine unless you are told to by your doctor. There are medicines that can relieve these symptoms if they become severe. If you vomit after taking a dose of Carmustine, check with your doctor to decide whether to take the dose again or to wait until the next scheduled dose.

Check with your health care provider immediately if you develop a cough or hoarseness accompanied by fever or chills, shortness of breath or pain or redness at place of injection.

If you are being treated high doses of this medication or are on long-term treatment tell your doctor immediately if you discover blood in your urine or black tarry stools. Shortness of breath, fever or chills, swelling in your feet or lower legs, lower back or side pain accompanied by fever or chills, painful or difficult urination accompanied by fever or chills, decrease in urination, pinpoint red spots on skin and unusual bleeding or bruising are less common. These may be indications of serious side effects and should be reported to the doctor at once.

Sores in your mouth and on your lips and unusual tiredness or weakness are side effects that you should discuss with your doctor at your next appointment.

Less serious side effects that usually go away during the course of the treatment include nausea or vomiting that usually lasts between four and six hours, diarrhea or stomach pain, flushing or redness of your face, discoloration of skin along vein of injection, dizziness, loss of appetite, skin rash and itching, trouble swallowing and trouble walking. Unless these become exteremly uncomfortable, there is no need to get immediate attention. You should, of course, let the doctor know at your next appointment that you are experiencing or did experience side effects.

Carmustine can cause a temporary loss of hair in some people. Normal hair should grow back, although the new hair might be a slightly different color or texture.

After the treatment is complete you may still have some side effects. Check with your doctor immediately if you have painful or difficult urination accompanied by fever or chills, blood in your urine or stools, black tarry stools, shortness of breath, cough or hoarseness accompanied by fever or chills, fever or chills, severe lower back or side pain accompanied by fever or chills, pinpoint red spots on skin, or unusual bleeding or bruising.

You may have side effects that are not listed. If you notice any unusual effects, check with your doctor.

If you notice any other side effects, check with your doctor.

References: Carmustine (Gliadel Wafer, BiCNU, BCNU)

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This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice. All treatment decisions should be made with your team of medical professionals and prescriptions must be given by your doctor. See TERMS AND CONDITIONS.