LOMUSTINE

Brand & Generic Names

CeeNU

CCNU

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antineoplastic

Uses

• Treats brain cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• Sometimes used to treat breast, lung, skin and gastrointestinal cancer.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Note: There may be two or more different types of capsules in the container. This is not an error.

When to take:
According to doctor's instructions. Usual course of treatment requires single dosage repeated every 6 weeks.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Don't ever double doses.

What drug does:
Interferes with growth of cancer cells.

Time lapse before drug works:
None. Works immediately.

Don't take with:
Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills, caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Decreased urine (kidney failure); high fever, chills (infection); bloody or black stools (bleeding).

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose Section.

Common:

• Fever, chills, difficult urination, unusual bleeding.
• Appetite loss, nausea, hair loss.

Infrequent:

• Anemia, confusion, slurred speech, mouth sores, skin rash.
• Darkened skin, loss of hair.

Rare:

• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), cough.
• Shortness of breath.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have chicken pox.
• You have shingles (herpes zoster).

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have an infection.
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you have had previous cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Effect not documented. Consult your doctor.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check kidney function, liver function and complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit).

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Call doctor if any of these occur after discontinuing: black or tarry stools, bloody urine, hoarseness, bleeding or bruising, fever or chills.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• May affect results in some medical tests.
• Most adverse reactions and side effects are unavoidable.
• Avoid immunizations, if possible.
• Avoid persons with infections.
• Check with doctor about brushing or flossing teeth.
• Avoid contact sports.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antineoplastic drugs,	Increased chance of drug toxicity.
Blood dyscrasia-causing	Adverse effect on bone marrow,
medicines*	causing decreased white cells and
	platelets.
Bone marrow	Increased risk of bone marrow
depressants*, other	depression.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on bone marrow.
Levamisole	Increased risk of bone marrow
	depression.
Tiopronin	Increased risk of toxicity to bone
	marrow.
Vaccines, live or	Increased chance of toxicity or
killed virus	reduced effectiveness of vaccine.
	Wait 3 to 12 months after lomustine
	treatment before getting
	vaccination.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased chance of liver damage.
Beverages:	No special problems expected.
Cocaine:	Increased chance of central nervous
	system toxicity.
Foods:	No special problems expected.
Marijuana:	No special problems expected.
Tobacco:	No special problems expected.