Lomustine
Description
Lomustine is an anticancer agent which is used in the treatment of various cancers of the brain and a certain type of blood cancer. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of lung function and blood cell count is necessary while receiving this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Lomustine
- Bleeding gums
- Sore throat
- Decrease in blood cell ount
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Difficulty in breathing
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Chest pain
Uses of Lomustine
What is it prescribed for?
- Brain/Intracranial Tumor
- Hodgkin's Lymphoma
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed within 3 hours of administration of dose.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Lomustine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Bonemarrow suppression
This medicine may cause bone marrow suppression which in turn lowers the white blood cell count (neutrophils) and platelets. Close monitoring of blood cell count is necessary. The baseline of the blood cell count should be obtained before initiation of the treatment. Do not start the treatment if the counts are less.
Lung toxicity
This medicine may increase the risk of toxic effects on the lungs and could lead to respiratory failure. The lung toxicity is dose-related and close monitoring of lung function is recommended during intravenous Lomustine therapy. Any symptoms of lung toxicity should be informed to the doctor on priority. The treatment should be discontinued if such symptoms appear.
Secondary Malignancies
This medicine is known to increase the risk of secondary cancers including acute leukemia, myeloproliferative syndrome and other carcinomas. Close monitoring of signs and symptoms is necessary. The treatment should be discontinued if malignancy develops.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease or who are at risk of kidney failure due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of the kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Contraception
Use of this medicine may increase the risk of harm to the unborn baby in pregnant women. Effective contraception is advised for men with female partners and the women with the childbearing potential to avoid such risks. Birth controls should be administered while receiving this medicine and for 6 months post-therapy to prevent the pregnancy.
Missed Dose
The missed dose of this medicine should be taken as soon as possible. Since this medicine is given on 6-week interval, if you miss any chemotherapy session you should contact your doctor immediately to follow the further instructions.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Etanercept
Ganciclovir
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Disease interactions
Infections
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from infections due to the increased risk of bone marrow suppression which causes worsening of infections. Report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from bone marrow suppression which causes anemia and infections. Report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as bleeding or symptoms of anemia, fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction since it may worsen the condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close clinical monitoring of liver function is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Lung Toxicity
This medicine should be administered with caution in patients with preexisting pulmonary dysfunction since long toxicities like pulmonary infiltrates and/or fibrosis are associated with the therapy of this medicine. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close clinical monitoring of lung function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine as advised by the doctor. It is important to receive every scheduled dose. The blood cells count and kidney function should be assessed before starting the treatment. Any signs and symptoms of heart and lung dysfunction should be reported to the doctor on priority.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by interfering with the DNA synthesis and inhibiting the tumor growth.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Alkylating agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Lomustine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 5 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 30 Jan 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.