Carmustine, Injection/Wafer Implant

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: carmustine, injection; carmustine, wafer implant; BCNU, injection; BCNU, wafer implant; BiCNU; Gliadel

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion to treat brain tumors, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your healthcare provider. It may be used with other drugs.

This medicine also comes in a wafer form that is implanted during surgery to remove a brain tumor.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• breathing problems or lung disease
• liver or kidney disease

This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children) whether you are a man or a woman. If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I take it?

The infusions are given by a healthcare provider. Each infusion takes 1 to 2 hours. Your provider will determine your dose and how often it will be given. Keep all your appointments for infusions. If your healthcare provider prescribes a medicine to be taken by mouth, take it exactly as prescribed.

The dime-sized wafer implants are put in place during surgery to remove a brain tumor. Wafers dissolve and release medicine directly into the area of the brain tumor for 2 to 3 weeks.

What should I watch out for?

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin while receiving this medicine. It may increase the risk of bleeding. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider.

This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.

Within 2 hours after an injection, this medicine may cause nausea and vomiting that may last for 4 to 6 hours. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine to relieve or help prevent vomiting. Eating small, frequent meals and drinking plenty of water while you are being treated with this medicine may help.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to the healthcare provider right away): Fever, sore throat, mouth sores, trouble breathing, change in vision, confusion, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain or burning at the injection site (IV only), dizziness, seizures, severe headache, unexplained tiredness or weakness, decrease in urination.

Other: Diarrhea, mild nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• clozapine (Clozaril)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• etoposide (VePesid)
• live vaccines

Do not drink alcohol while you are receiving this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.