Carmustine (BCNU) is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer and in bone marrow transplantation.
It is available as an injectable medication as well as a wafer for surgical implantation.
Show All- Your child's doctor may want to check your child's lung function prior to and after giving carmustine (BCNU).
- This medication is usually given in the hospital.
- Frequent, small meals may help if your child experiences severe nausea.
- Tell your child's doctor about other medications that your child is taking including over-the-counter and herbal medications.
- This medication may change your child's skin color.
- Your child's doctor may ask that your child remain lying down during the infusion of carmustine (BCNU) and that blood pressure be checked periodically, since carmustine (BCNU) may cause your child to have low blood pressure especially during the infusion.
- Use precaution when changing your child's diapers or soiled linens for 48 hours after a dose – use gloves during this time to avoid contact with the medication.
- If too much medicine is taken by accident, call the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), 513-636-5111 or 1-800-222-1222, or call your child's doctor immediately.
- Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
For any medication information related to your child's dosing schedule and/or missed doses, contact the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication.
Contact your child's doctor if symptoms persist or become bothersome:
- Flushing of your child's skin
- Weakness or tiredness
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Persistent cough
- Sores in the mouth
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Fever 101.5 once or 100.5 twice in 12 hours
- Seizure
- Abdominal pain
- Blurry vision
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Dizziness, confusion
- Yellowing of the skin and/or eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
