Carmustine Macure
Carmustine Macure is a medicine used to treat various cancers by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
Form
kuiva-aine ja liuotin välikonsentraatiksi infuusionestettä varten, liuos
Strength
100 mg
Active Ingredient
Carmustine
Manufacturer
Macure Pharma ApS
How to Use
Dosage
For patients not treated before, 150-200 mg per square meter of body surface area, given every 6 weeks.
Method
Given as an infusion into a vein over 1 to 2 hours. It can be a single dose or split into daily infusions (e.g., 75-100 mg/m² for two consecutive days). The infusion should take at least one hour to avoid pain at the injection site.
Important
High doses up to 600 mg/m² are given only before a stem cell transplant.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Delayed reduction of blood cells in bone marrow.
- •Lack of muscle movement coordination.
- •Dizziness.
- •Headache.
- •Temporary red eyes, blurred vision, retinal bleeding, inflammation of the iris and optic nerve.
- •Low blood pressure in high-dose treatment.
- •Phlebitis (inflammation of veins) with pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness.
- •Breathing problems (lung-related disorders) with difficulty breathing; this medicine can cause severe lung damage that may appear years after treatment. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, constant weakness, or fatigue.
- •Severe nausea and vomiting, starting 2-4 hours after administration and lasting 4-6 hours.
- •Dermatitis (skin inflammation) when applied to the skin.
- •Accidental skin contact may cause temporary darkening of skin or nails.
RARE
- •Acute leukemias (blood cancers) and abnormal bone marrow development after long-term use. Symptoms may include: bleeding gums, bone pain, fever, recurrent infections, frequent or severe nosebleeds, swollen lymph nodes, pale skin, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue or general lack of energy.
- •Anemia (reduction of red blood cells in the blood).
- •Encephalopathy (brain disease) in high-dose treatment: symptoms may include localized muscle weakness, difficulty making decisions or concentrating, involuntary twitching, tremors, difficulty speaking and swallowing, epileptic seizures.
- •Loss of appetite.
- •Constipation.
- •Diarrhea.
- •Inflammation of the mouth and lips.
- •Reversible liver toxicity in high-dose treatment, up to 60 days after administration. This may cause increased liver enzymes and bilirubin (detected by blood tests).
- •Hair loss.
- •Skin redness.
- •Injection site reactions.
- •Veno-occlusive disease (progressive blockage of veins) in high-dose treatment, where very small blood vessels in the liver become blocked. Symptoms may include: fluid accumulation in the abdomen, enlarged spleen, severe esophageal bleeding, yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes.
- •Breathing difficulties caused by scarring of lung tissue at low doses; symptoms may include dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss.
- •Kidney problems.
- •Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men).
- •Gastrointestinal bleeding.
- •Inflammation of the optic nerve and adjacent retina of the eye.
RARE
- •Blood clot formation due to an inflammatory process, blocking one or more veins, usually in the legs (thrombophlebitis). The blocked vein can be near the skin or deep in the muscle.
- •Muscle pain.
- •Secondary tumors (cancers caused by radiation therapy or chemotherapy).
- •Epileptic seizures (convulsions), including status epilepticus.
- •Tissue damage due to leakage at the injection site.
- •Infertility.
- •Impaired embryonic/fetal development in pregnant women.
- •Symptoms of infection.
- •Rapid heartbeat, chest pain.
- •Allergic reaction.
- •Electrolyte imbalances (low potassium, magnesium, and phosphate levels in the blood).
- •Abdominal pain (neutropenic enterocolitis).
- •Reduced kidney volume, progressive accumulation of certain metabolic products in the blood, and kidney failure have been observed with high cumulative doses and long-term treatment with Carmustine Macure and other nitrosourea drugs. Kidney damage has also been observed with lower total doses.
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to carmustine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if you have low blood platelet, white blood cell, or red blood cell counts due to chemotherapy or other reasons.
- Do not use if you have severe kidney problems.
- Do not use if you are under 18 years old due to a high risk of lung damage.
- Do not breastfeed during treatment and for seven days after the treatment ends.
Show 7 more warnings
- Your doctor will check your blood cell counts weekly for at least 6 weeks after treatment, as bone marrow suppression is a common side effect.
- Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of infection (fever, long-lasting sore throat), increased bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness, or a fast or pounding heartbeat.
- Your liver and kidney functions will be tested before and regularly during treatment.
- Lung function will be tested and chest X-rays taken before treatment, as this medicine can cause lung damage.
- High doses can increase the risk and severity of side effects in the lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, and digestive tract, as well as infections and electrolyte imbalances.
- Both men and women of childbearing age must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least six months after.
- This medicine may affect your ability to drive or use machines due to possible dizziness. Discuss this with your doctor.