Gliadel injection/implant

Generic name: Carmustine (injection/implant)
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Usage of Gliadel injection/implant

Gliadel is used in adults alone or in combination with other cancer treatments to treat brain tumors, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Gliadel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Gliadel injection/implant side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your medical caregivers if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, sweaty, or have a headache, chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face.

Gliadel can cause serious or fatal lung problems, even months or years after you've used Gliadel.

You may also bleed or get infections more easily, including serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor right away if you have:

shortness of breath on exertion;

chest discomfort, dry cough or hack;

mouth sores, red or swollen gums;

feeling weak or tired, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss;

unusual bleeding, pale skin, easy bruising;

fever, chills, sore throat, night sweats; or

confusion, vision problems.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

a seizure;

little or no urination;

abnormal liver function tests;

pain, bruising, swelling, or irritation where the medicine was injected;

slow healing of your incision after Gliadel implant placement;

increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or

signs of meningitis--fever, headache, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness.

Common side effects of Gliadel may include:

feeling weak or tired;

abnormal wound healing;

kidney problems;

constipation, fever;

urinary tract infections;

depression, swelling in your head;

low blood cell counts;

nausea, vomiting; or

breathing problems.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Gliadel injection/implant

You should not be treated with Gliadel if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

lung disease or breathing problems;

bone marrow suppression; or

kidney disease.

Receiving Gliadel injection may increase your risk of developing other cancers. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Gliadel can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using Gliadel.

If you are a woman, you will need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.

If you are a man, use birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.

Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.

It may be harder for you to get a woman pregnant while you are using this medicine. You should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because the medicine can harm an unborn baby.

Do not breastfeed while receiving Gliadel, or for at least 7 days after this medicine implant placement.

Relate drugs

How to use Gliadel injection/implant

Gliadel injection is given as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 6 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects.

Tell your medical caregivers if you feel any burning or pain when Gliadel is injected.

Gliadel implant is placed in your brain after brain tumor removal surgery.

Gliadel can make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Call your doctor if you have bleeding that will not stop. Bleeding may also happen inside your body, such as in your stomach or intestines, or in your brain.

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. You will need frequent medical tests.

Your blood will also need to be tested weekly, for at least 6 weeks and your dose may be changed based on the results.

You may also need chest X rays or breathing tests.

Warnings

You may get infections or bleed more easily, including serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have shortness of breath on exertion, chest discomfort, dry cough or hack, feeling weak or tired, rapid weight loss, unusual bleeding, fever, painful urination, night sweats, neck stiffness, confusion, or vision problems.

Gliadel can cause serious or fatal lung problems, even months or years after you've used this medicine.

What other drugs will affect Gliadel injection/implant

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

seizure medicine such as phenobarbital; or

cimetidine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Gliadel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.