Gliadel Side Effects

Generic name: carmustine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 6, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Gliadel Side Effects associated with carmustine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Gliadel.

Applies to carmustine: intravenous powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

• implantation implant

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (powder for solution)

Carmustine causes suppression of marrow function (including thrombocytopenia and leukopenia), which may contribute to bleeding and overwhelming infections.

Monitor blood counts, adjust dosage based on nadir, and do not administer a repeat course until blood counts recover.

Carmustine causes dose-related pulmonary toxicity; patients receiving greater than 1400 mg/m(2) cumulative dose are at significantly higher risk.

Delayed pulmonary toxicity can occur years after treatment and may result in death, particularly in patients treated in childhood.

Common side effects of Gliadel

Some side effects of carmustine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

• diarrhea
• discoloration of the skin along the injection site

Serious side effects of Gliadel

Along with its needed effects, carmustine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking carmustine:

More common side effects

• cough
• pain or redness at the injection site
• trouble breathing

Less common side effects

• black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine or stools
• cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills
• fever or chills
• flushing of the face
• lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills
• painful or difficult urination, accompanied by fever or chills
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• sores in the mouth or on the lips
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare side effects

• decrease in urination
• swelling of the feet or lower legs

Incidence not known

• abdominal or stomach pain, severe
• bleeding gums
• bone pain
• chest pain
• cloudy urine
• confusion
• dark urine
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• feeling of warmth
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in the lower back or side
• pale skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• seizures
• sore throat
• sweating
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• swollen glands
• thirst
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing with exertion
• weight gain
• yellow eyes or skin

Serious side effects of Gliadel

Along with its needed effects, medicines like carmustine (the active ingredient contained in Gliadel) can sometimes cause some unwanted effects such as blood problems, loss of hair, and other side effects; these are described below. Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to carmustine: implant device, intravenous powder for injection.

Respiratory adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism
• Frequency not reported: Pulmonary toxicity (IV formulation)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Myelosuppression (IV formulation)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea, vomiting, constipation
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain
• Postmarketing reports: Diarrhea, anorexia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Increased transaminase, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased bilirubin^[Ref]

Renal

• Postmarketing reports: Progressive azotemia, decrease in kidney size, renal failure^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Postmarketing reports: Tachycardia, chest pain, Veno-occlusive disease^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Administration reactions (IV formulation)
• Postmarketing reports: Burning sensation^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenia, fever
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain
• Frequency not reported: Wafer migration (wafer formulation)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Ocular toxicity (IV formulation)
• Postmarketing reports: Conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, blurred vision, loss of depth perception^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Postmarketing reports: Acute leukemia, bone marrow dysplasia^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Impaired neurosurgical wound healing (wafer formulation) (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Meningitis (wafer formulation)
• Postmarketing reports: Opportunistic infection (sometimes fatal)

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain

Metabolic

• Postmarketing reports: Diabetes mellitus

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Confusion, depression
• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, thinking abnormal, hallucinations, insomnia, personality disorder

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Intracranial hypertension (wafer formulation), brain abscess (wafer formulation), brain cyst (wafer formulation), hydrocephalus (wafer formulation), cerebral edema (wafer formulation), amnesia, facial paralysis, ataxia, hypesthesia, paresthesia, abnormal gait, dizziness, tremor, coma, hypokinesia
• Postmarketing reports: Headache, encephalopathy

(wafer formulation) (23%), aphasia, somnolence, speech disorder

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperpigmentation, swelling, erythema, skin necrosis, alopecia, allergic reaction

Further information

Gliadel side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer