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- $Unique_ID{BRK03206}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{lomustine}
- $Subject{CeeNU Bristol Antineoplastic anticancer drug lomustine nitrosourea
- alkylating agents cancers cancer cells}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- lomustine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- CeeNU (Bristol)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antineoplastic (anticancer drug)
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- lomustine
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Capsules (10 mg, 40 mg, and 100 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Lomustine should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
- container.
-
- USES
-
- This medication belongs to a group of drugs known as nitrosourea
- alkylating agents. It is used to treat a variety of cancers. Lomustine is
- thought to work by binding to the rapidly growing cancer cells, preventing
- their multiplication and growth.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To help prevent nausea, you should take lomustine on an empty stomach
- (unless your doctor directs otherwise).
- The patient is usually required to take this medication as a single dose
- once a week. The total weekly dose consists of a number of capsules of
- different strengths and colors, which are all taken at the same time. The
- timing of each weekly dose is very important; be sure you completely
- understand your doctor's instructions on how and when this medication should
- be taken.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Nausea and vomiting may occur three to six hours after taking a dose of
- lomustine; these symptoms usually last less than 24 hours. The use of
- lomustine may also cause hair loss, which is reversible when the medication is
- stopped.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- chills, confusion, decreased coordination, difficult or painful urination,
- disorientation, fever, itching, loss of appetite, lethargy, mouth sores, sore
- throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or
- skin. These side effects may even appear several weeks after the last dose is
- taken.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Lomustine should not interact with other medications if it is used
- according to directions.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to lomustine, carmustine, or streptozocin.
- * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
- you now have or if you have ever had blood disorders, chronic or recurrent
- infections, or kidney disease.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * You should not receive any immunizations or vaccinations while taking
- this medication. Lomustine blocks the effectiveness of vaccines, which could
- result in an overwhelming infection if a live-virus vaccine is administered.
- Be sure to tell your doctor you are taking lomostine before you are given any
- immunizations or vaccinations.
- * Lomustine can lower your platelet count, which can decrease your body's
- ability to form blood clots. You should, therefore, be especially careful
- while brushing your teeth, flossing, or using toothpicks, razors, or
- fingernail scissors. Try to avoid falls and other injuries. Your doctor may
- also order periodic laboratory tests to monitor your blood.
- * Lomustine can decrease fertility in both men and women.
- * Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Lomustine has been reported to
- cause birth defects in both animals and humans whose mothers received the drug
- during pregnancy. The risks should be discussed with your doctor. Also, tell
- your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of lomustine
- pass into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-