BiCNU ratings & reviews

Bicnu contains the active ingredient carmustine, a form of nitrosourea. It is supplied as sterile lyophilized flakes or a congealed mass for administration by intravenous infusion. The drug is formulated in 100-mg single-dose vials, which are reconstituted using a vial of Dehydrated Alcohol Injection, USP.

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
• Painful swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin, blisters or sores at the infusion site
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Infection, such as chickenpox, cold sores, herpes
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low blood cell levels, such as white cells, platelets, or red blood cells
• Lung disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to carmustine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• If you or your partner are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Live virus vaccines

This medication may interact with the following:

• Cimetidine
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin and fosphenytoin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress.

This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.

In some cases, you may be given additional medications to help with side effects. Follow all directions for their use.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medication may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your care team if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancers if you take this medication.

Talk to your care team if you or your partner wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy and for 6 months after the last dose. A reliable form of contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 6 months after the last dose. Talk to your care team about effective forms of contraception. Do not father a child while taking this medication and for 3 months after the last dose. Use a condom during sex during this time period.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medication.

This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medicine should only be given by a healthcare provider who has experience in the use of cancer drugs.

This medicine can lower blood counts, like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This can become severe enough to require a blood transfusion. You may get more infections or serious infections during your treatment. Your healthcare provider will check your blood counts during your treatment.

This medicine may cause serious, life threatening lung damage.