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| Pronunciation |
|
 (byoo
SUL
fan) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Busulfex®;
Myleran® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antineoplastic Agent, Alkylating Agent |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- This medicine is very strong. It can prevent your bone marrow from
making some of the cells that your body needs. You will need weekly blood work
to watch for dangerous side effects. Tell your healthcare provider immediately
about any fever, sore throat, signs of infection, bleeding, shortness of breath,
or feeling tired or worn out.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to busulfan or any other part of the medicine.
- If this medicine did not help you in the past.
- If you are pregnant or
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat specific types of leukemias and bone
marrow disorders.
- Other uses include therapy in preparation for bone marrow
transplantation and for treatment of primary brain
cancers.
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|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Busulfan changes the genetic coding of cells. It destroys
them.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take at a similar time every day.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with
caffeine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like
products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E.
- You will bleed easily. Be careful. Avoid injury.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- For men, do not get partner pregnant. Use birth control that you can
trust while taking this medicine.
- This medicine often causes infertility. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
- Weakness and feeling tired.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
- For premenopausal women, no menstrual cycle or period.
- Skin rashes, itching, redness, or hair
loss.
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|
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood work to help prevent side effects. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Cough, congestion, or shortness of breath. Can cause permanent damage
to lungs.
- Fever and/or chills.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow eyes or skin, and not
hungry.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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