Busulfan

BRAND NAME: Myleran

Indroduction and Uses of Busulfan

Busulfan belongs to the general group of chemotherapy drugs known as alkylating agents. It is used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia. Busulfan is a bifunctional alkylating agent. 2,5,6 Following systemic absorption of busulfan, carbonium ions are rapidly formed, resulting in alkylation of DNA. This leads to breaks in the DNA molecule as well as cross-linking of the twin strands, resulting in interference of DNA replication and transcription of RNA. The antitumour activity of busulfan is cell cycle phase-nonspecific. BUSULFEX (busulfan) Injection is a potent cytotoxic drug that causes profound myelosuppression at the recommended dosage. It should be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician who is experienced in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the use of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs and the management of patients with severe pancytopenia.

Possible Side effects of Busulfan

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
• Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
• Hair loss
• Stopping of menstrual periods in women
• Reduced or no sperm production (temporary) in men

Dosage and dosing of Busulfan

The doses of these medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Warning and Precautions of Busulfan

• Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to busulfan.

• Although only one case has been reported, there is a chance that this medicine may cause birth defects if either the male or the female is taking it at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. In addition, many cancer medicines may cause sterility which could be permanent. Sterility may occur with busulfan and the possibility should be kept in mind.

• Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are taking busulfan. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while taking busulfan.

• It is not known whether busulfan passes into breast milk. However, because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are taking it.

• Although there is no specific information comparing use of busulfan in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

• Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary

Storage conditions of Busulfan

Keep nitulamide in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light and 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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

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.

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