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|Lomustine

Lomustine (CCNU)

Lomustine (CCNU) is used for:

Treating certain types of cancer.

Lomustine (CCNU) is an alkylating agent used to treat cancer. It stops or slows the growth or spread of certain cancer cells by interfering with their reproduction.

Do NOT use Lomustine (CCNU) if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Lomustine (CCNU)
• you have taken a dose of Lomustine (CCNU) within the past 6 weeks, unless your doctor tells you otherwise

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Lomustine (CCNU) :

Some medical conditions may interact with Lomustine (CCNU) . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of bone marrow, heart, lung, breathing, liver, or kidney problems
• if you have a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection (eg, shingles, chickenpox)
• if you are undergoing radiation therapy

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lomustine (CCNU) . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cimetidine because the risk of serious bone marrow problems may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lomustine (CCNU) may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Lomustine (CCNU) :

Use Lomustine (CCNU) as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Lomustine (CCNU) is usually taken as a single dose only once every 6 weeks. You may receive 2 or more types or colors of capsules. Be sure you understand exactly how much of Lomustine (CCNU) to take and how often you should take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Take Lomustine (CCNU) by mouth with or without food. Taking it on an empty stomach may reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting.
• Wear gloves when you handle Lomustine (CCNU) to decrease the risk of getting it on your skin or on other items.
• If you miss a dose of Lomustine (CCNU) , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lomustine (CCNU) .

Important safety information:

• Do NOT take more than the prescribed dose or take Lomustine (CCNU) more often than once every 6 weeks without checking with your doctor. The risk of severe and sometimes fatal bone marrow problems may be greater if you take Lomustine (CCNU) in high doses or more often than once every 6 weeks.
• Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common with Lomustine (CCNU) . Ask your doctor or pharmacist for ways to decrease these effects if they occur. Nausea and vomiting usually go away in less than 24 hours. Loss of appetite may last for several days.
• Lomustine (CCNU) may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Lomustine (CCNU) may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Talk with your doctor before you have any vaccines while you are taking Lomustine (CCNU) .
• Long-term use of Lomustine (CCNU) may increase the risk of developing a second cancer. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Lab tests, including liver, kidney, and lung function and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Lomustine (CCNU) and for 6 weeks or more after you take your last dose. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Lomustine (CCNU) with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Caution is advised when using Lomustine (CCNU) in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially certain lung problems (pulmonary fibrosis).
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Lomustine (CCNU) has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lomustine (CCNU) while you are pregnant. It is not known if Lomustine (CCNU) is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lomustine (CCNU) .

Possible side effects of Lomustine (CCNU) :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Loss of appetite; nausea; occasional hair loss; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blindness; chest pain; chills; confusion or disorientation; decreased amount of urine; dry cough; fever; shortness of breath; sore throat; sores on your mouth or lips; swelling of feet or lower legs; trouble speaking; trouble walking or keeping your balance; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual fatigue or weakness; vision changes; yellowing of skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Store Lomustine (CCNU) at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Avoid temperatures higher than 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lomustine (CCNU) out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Lomustine (CCNU) , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Lomustine (CCNU) is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lomustine (CCNU) . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.