Carmustine (Implantation-Local)

Brand Names : Gliadel Wafer, BCNU

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For carmustine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to carmustine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - The implanted dosage form of carmustine has not been studied in pregnant women or animals. However, studies in animals have shown that carmustine in other dosage forms causes birth defects and other problems. Be sure that you have discussed this before receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving carmustine.

Breast-feeding - It is not known if carmustine or the components of the wafer pass into the breast milk. However, carmustine is not recommended during breast-feeding, because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of carmustine in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of carmustine in the elderly with its use in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of carmustine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems.