This page contains brief details about the drug , it's indication, dosage & administaration, mechanism of action, related brands with strength, warnings and common side effects.

Background and Date of Approval

The U.S. FDA approved lomustine in 1976. This medicine belongs to a group of monoclonal antibody (a protein made from specific immune cells).

Mechanism of Action of undefined

Lomustine works by damaging the DNA and RNA of the cancer cells. This stops their growth and multiplication.

Uses of undefined

It is mainly used to treat brain tumors (lumps formed from abnormal cells), lung tumors, Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of lymph system, a part of the immune system), and malignant melanoma (skin cancer).

undefined Drug administaration and Dosage available

The medicine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered in the vein (intravenous). Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

Warnings, Precautions and Side Effects of undefined

Warnings

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to gluten or wheat. Talk to your physician if you have severe bone marrow depression, kidney disorders, intolerance to some sugars, or if you are receiving any vaccinations before taking Lomustine.

Precautions

Yellow fever vaccine and other live vaccines are contraindicated in patients with reduced immune function. Talk to your physician about all the medications you are taking recently, including supplements and herbal medicines, before taking Lomustine. Use effective birth control during the treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose.

Side Effects

The common side effects that are likely to be associated with Lomustine are nausea, vomiting, hair loss, delayed myelosuppression, sore and inflamed mouth. Inform your healthcare provider if any of these side effects are persisted.

Word Of Advice

Lomustine can cause birth defects. Both men and women are advised to take effective contraceptives during lomustine therapy and for 6 months after treatment. Men should be informed about the risk for an irreversible infertility due to treatment with lomustine.Wear gloves while handling the capsules to minimize skin exposure. If you accidentally handled the broken capsules, wash areas of skin contact immediately and thoroughly.

Frequently Asked Question

References

  1. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Cytotoxic agents, 12th edition, 2011, 1686.
  2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 861.
  3. Medac, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [Revised on April 2020] [ Accessed on 12 Dec 2022], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1401/smpc
  4. NextSource Biotechnology, LLC, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Jan 2016] [ Accessed on 12 Dec 2022], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/017588s042lbl.pdf

Disclaimer

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.