Carmustine
Trade Names:
BCNU, BiCNU
Type of Drug:
Carmustine belongs to a special group of alkylating chemotherapy drugs called nitrosoureas. It is used to treat several types of cancer, including brain tumors.
How Drug Works:
Carmustine stops the growth of cancer cells, causing the cells to die.
How Drug Is Given:
Carmustine is given as an injection in the vein over 1 to 2 hours. It can be given based on several different schedules. You will get antinausea medicine before you get the carmustine. The dose depends upon your size but may be lowered or not given if your blood counts are low.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor:

  • If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. This drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this drug need to use some kind of birth control. However, do not use oral contraceptives (“the pill”) without checking with your doctor.

  • If you think you may want to have children in the future. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause sterility.

  • If you have any of the following medical problems: chickenpox or exposure to chickenpox, gout, heart disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney stones, liver disease, or other forms of cancer.

  • If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
While you are being treated with carmustine, and after you stop treatment, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor’s okay. Try to avoid contact with people who have recently taken the oral polio vaccine. Check with your doctor about this.
Carmustine can lower your blood counts (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets). Your doctor will check your blood counts before and after each treatment to see its effect on your blood counts. Your doctor or nurse will give you specific instructions if your blood counts are low.
Carmustine can lower your white blood cell count, especially 3 to 5 weeks after the drug is given. This can increase your risk of getting an infection. Report fever of 100.5°F or higher, or signs of infection such as pain in passing your urine, coughing, and bringing up sputum.
Carmustine can lower your platelet count. This can increase your risk of bleeding. DO NOT take any aspirin or aspirin-containing medicines. Report unusual bruising, or bleeding such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, or black, tarry stools.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
  • Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Irritation of vein used for giving the drug
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Pain along vein during administration
  • Fetal abnormalities if pregnancy occurs while taking this drug
Less Common Side Effects
  • Scarring of lung tissue, with cough and shortness of breath
  • Flushing of skin
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
Rare Side Effects
  • Temporary kidney damage
  • Hardening of vein used for injection
  • Liver abnormalities, usually reversible
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop shortness of breath.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: This drug is approved for cancer treatment.