lomustine

Generic Name: lomustine (LOE mus teen)Brand Names: CeeNU

What is lomustine?

Lomustine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.

Lomustine is used to treat brain tumors and Hodgkin's disease.

Lomustine is sometimes given with other cancer medications.

Lomustine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about lomustine?

Do not use lomustine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to lomustine.

Before taking lomustine, tell your doctor if you have bone marrow suppression, liver or kidney disease, or a history of lung or breathing problems.

Lomustine is usually taken once every 6 weeks. To get the correct dose, you may need to take 2 or more capsules that are different types and colors. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Lomustine can cause nausea and vomiting or loss of appetite. Taking lomustine on an empty stomach may reduce nausea and vomiting. Call your doctor if you vomit right after taking a lomustine capsule. To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested weekly for at least 6 weeks after you take lomustine. Your kidneys, liver, and lung function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor. Wear disposable rubber gloves when you handle a lomustine capsule. Throw the gloves away after one use. Do not use a lomustine capsule that has been accidentally opened or broken. The medicine from inside the capsule can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lomustine?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

• bone marrow suppression;

• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or

• a history of lung or breathing problems.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use lomustine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether lomustine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take lomustine?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Lomustine is usually taken once every 6 weeks. To get the correct dose, you may need to take 2 or more capsules that are different types and colors. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Lomustine can cause nausea and vomiting but this should last less than 24 hours after your dose. You may have loss of appetite that lasts for several days.

Taking lomustine on an empty stomach may reduce nausea and vomiting. You may also be given anti-nausea medications. Call your doctor if you vomit right after taking a lomustine capsule.

Lomustine can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.

To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested weekly for at least 6 weeks after you take lomustine. This medication can have long-lasting effects on your body. Your kidneys, liver, and lung function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor for blood or urine tests. Store lomustine tablets at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed until you are ready to take the medicine. Wear disposable rubber gloves when you handle a lomustine capsule. Throw the gloves away after one use. Do not use a lomustine capsule that has been accidentally opened or broken. The medicine from inside the capsule can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water. If you must handle a broken capsule, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely dispose of the capsule.

See also: Lomustine dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor if you forget to take your scheduled lomustine dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of the serious side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while taking lomustine?

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with lomustine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.

Lomustine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, easy bruising or bleeding;

• wheezing, rapid breathing, feeling short of breath;

• chest pain, dry cough, fever, feeling ill;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• confusion, mood changes, increased thirst;

• swelling in your ankles or feet;

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

Less serious side effects may include:

• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting;

• temporary hair loss;

• vision problems; or

• feeling weak or tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Lomustine Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Brain/Intracranial Tumor:

130 mg/m2 orally as a single dose every six weeks in previously untreated patients or 100 mg/m2 orally as a single dose every six weeks for patient with compromised bone marrow function.

Usual Adult Dose for Hodgkin's Disease:

130 mg/m2 orally as a single dose every six weeks in previously untreated patients or 100 mg/m2 orally as a single dose every six weeks for patient with compromised bone marrow function.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Brain/Intracranial Tumor:

75 to 130 mg/m2 orally as a single dose every six weeks.Subsequent doses are readjusted after initial treatment according to platelet and leukocyte counts.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hodgkin's Disease:

75 to 130 mg/m2 orally as a single dose every six weeks.Subsequent doses are readjusted after initial treatment according to platelet and leukocyte counts.

What other drugs will affect lomustine?

There may be other drugs that can interact with lomustine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about lomustine.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.04. Revision Date: 12/23/2009 12:21:10 PM.