Uses
Carmustine implant is used along with surgery and sometimes radiation therapy to treat malignant glioma (a certain type of cancerous brain tumor). Carmustine is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body.
Side Effects Of Carmustine Implant
Carmustine implant may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- constipation
- diarrhea
- rash
- confusion
- depressed mood
- pain
- drowsiness or sleepiness
- extreme tiredness or weakness
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- seizures
- severe headache, stiff neck, fever, and chills
- slowed healing of wounds
- sore throat; cough; fever; flu-like symptoms; warm, red, or painful skin; or other signs of infection
- swelling of feet, hands, or face
- unable to move one side of the body
- severe bleeding
- confusion
- impaired speech
- chest pain
Carmustine implant may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving carmustine implant:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to carmustine or any of the ingredients in carmustine implant. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, you are taking or plan to take.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving carmustine implant, call your doctor. Carmustine may harm the fetus.
Carmustine Implant Dosage
Carmustine implant comes as a small wafer that is placed in the brain by a doctor during surgery to remove the brain tumor. The doctor places carmustine wafers directly into a cavity in the brain that was created when the brain tumor was removed. After being placed in the brain, the wafers dissolve and slowly release carmustine into the surrounding areas where the tumor was located.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to carmustine implants.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
