Lomustine can cause a decrease in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow. Your doctor will order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by this drug.
Your doctor has ordered the drug lomustine to help treat your illness. The drug is taken by mouth in capsule form. Your full dose may contain two or more different types of capsules. Take all of them at the same time, with fluids, on an empty stomach. Lomustine usually is given once every 6 weeks.
brain tumors
Hodgkin's disease
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Lomustine is in a class of drugs known as alkylating agents; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
Lomustine is also used in the treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, malignant melanoma, breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and carcinoma of the GI tract. Lomustine has been applied to the skin to treast mycosis fungoides and psoriasis. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
darkened and dry skin
loss of appetite or weight
weakness
fatigue
unusual bruising or bleeding
black, tarry stools
red urine
cough
sore throat
difficulty breathing
fever
dizziness
confusion
chills
shortness of breath
rash
yellowing of the skin or eyes
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Keep lomustine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Last Reviewed - 04/01/2012
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.