English | Spanish
Lomustine ( low-MUSS-teen ) (CCNU, CeeNu, Gleostine®) What is this medication used for? This medicine is used to treat brain tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
What does it look like? • Capsule How is it given? • By mouth (oral or po) What are the common side effects? • Nausea or vomiting • Decreased appetite (anorexia) • Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) 5–6 weeks after treatment • Hair loss (alopecia) What are the less common side effects? • Mouth sores (mucositis) • Changes to liver function tests (specifically ALT, AST, Bilirubin) • Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) 4 weeks after treatment, recovering 5–6 weeks after treatment What are the serious side effects? • Inability to conceive or father a child (infertility) • Damage to unborn child (birth defects) • Lung damage, usually only with higher or more doses • Kidney damage, usually only with higher or more doses • Another cancer in later years (secondary malignancy)
Special instructions: • Do not chew, break, crush, or open the capsules. • It is best to take this medicine at bedtime or on an empty stomach to decrease nausea and vomiting. Take this medicine with fluids and do not eat for 2 hours afterward. This will make it easier for the body to absorb the medicine. • This medicine is usually given as one dose every 6 weeks. Capsules in different doses and of different size and color may be given to make up the correct one-time dose. Take all the capsules at the same time. • Do not become pregnant, father a child, or breastfeed while taking this medicine. It may be important to use birth control while taking this medicine. • In utero exposure may cause fetal harm.
Notes from Your Healthcare Team
Not all of the possible side effects of this medicine and precautions related to taking it are covered in this information sheet. For a complete list of side effects and precautions, ask your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, pharmacist) for a manufacturer’s package insert or another reference.
Powered by FlippingBook