Carmustine Injection

Generic name: Carmustine Injection [ kar-MUS-teen ]
Brand name: BiCNU
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 14, 2023.

Warning

This medicine may lower the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells that the body needs. If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
Have your blood work checked often for at least 6 weeks after a dose. Talk with your doctor.
This medicine may cause very bad and sometimes deadly lung problems. People getting a large total dose for all treatments have a greater chance of lung problems. These lung problems can happen years after getting carmustine injection, especially in people who got carmustine injection when they were a child. Talk with the doctor.

Uses of Carmustine Injection:

It is used to treat cancer.
It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Carmustine Injection?

If you are allergic to carmustine injection; any part of carmustine injection; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take carmustine injection. You may also need to avoid breast-feeding for some time after your last dose. Talk with your doctor to see if you need to avoid breast-feeding after your last dose.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take carmustine injection with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Carmustine Injection?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take carmustine injection. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
This medicine may affect being able to father a child. Talk with the doctor.
This medicine may cause harm to an unborn baby. A pregnancy test will be done before you start carmustine injection to show that you are NOT pregnant.
Women must use birth control while taking carmustine injection and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.
Men with a partner who may get pregnant must use birth control while taking carmustine injection and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If your partner gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.
Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with carmustine injection may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly.
You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
Long-term use may raise the chance of getting other cancers. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
Have your lung function checked as you have been told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor.
Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.

How is this medicine (Carmustine Injection) best taken?

Use carmustine injection as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
Other drugs may be given before carmustine injection to help avoid side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Chest pain.
Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
Signs of lung or breathing problems like shortness of breath or other trouble breathing, cough, or fever.
Feeling very tired or weak.
A fast heartbeat.
Very bad dizziness or passing out.
Change in eyesight.
Seizures.
Enlarged breasts.
Feeling confused.
This medicine may cause tissue damage if the drug leaks from the vein. Tell your nurse if you have any redness, burning, pain, swelling, blisters, skin sores, or leaking of fluid where the drug is going into your body.

What are some other side effects of Carmustine Injection?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Headache.
Hair loss.
Diarrhea, throwing up, upset stomach, and feeling less hungry are common with carmustine injection. If these happen, talk with your doctor about ways to lower these side effects. Call your doctor right away if any of these effects bother you, do not get better, or get very bad.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Carmustine Injection?

If you need to store carmustine injection at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about carmustine injection, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.