Carmustine (Systemic)
Brand Names : BiCNU, BCNU
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For carmustine, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to carmustine.
Pregnancy - There is a chance that 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. Carmustine causes toxic or harmful effects
in the fetus of rats and rabbits and causes birth defects in rats at doses
about the same as the human dose. In addition, many cancer medicines may cause
sterility which could be permanent. Although this has only been reported in
animals with this medicine, the possibility should be kept in mind. Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before receiving
this medicine. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are
receiving carmustine. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become
pregnant while receiving carmustine.
Breast-feeding - Because carmustine may cause serious side effects,
breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.
Children - Although there is no specific information comparing
use of carmustine in children with use in other age groups, this medicine
is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than
it does in adults.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of carmustine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving
carmustine, it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Amphotericin B by injection (e.g., Fungizone) or
-
Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) or
-
Azathioprine (e.g., Imuran) or
-
Chloramphenicol (e.g., Chloromycetin) or
-
Colchicine or
-
Flucytosine (e.g., Ancobon) or
-
Ganciclovir (e.g., Cytovene) or
-
Interferon (e.g., Intron A, Roferon-A) or
-
Plicamycin (e.g., Mithramycin) or
-
Zidovudine (e.g., AZT, Retrovir) or
-
If you have ever been treated with radiation or cancer medicines - Carmustine
may increase the effects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of carmustine. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
-
Herpes zoster (shingles) - Risk of severe disease affecting other
parts of the body
-
Infection - Carmustine decreases your body's ability to fight
infection
-
Kidney disease - Effects of carmustine may be increased because
of slower removal from the body
-
Liver disease - Carmustine may cause side effects to the liver
-
Lung disease - Risk of lung problems caused by carmustine may
be increased
Smoking - Increased risk of lung problems.
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