Gleostine
Generic name:lomustine [ LOE-mus-teen ]
Drug class:Alkylating agents
What is Gleostine?
Gleostine is used to treat brain tumors in people who have already received surgery or radiation.
Gleostine is also used with other cancer medicines to treat Hodgkin's disease, after other treatments have failed.
Gleostine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Gleostine can weaken (suppress) your immune system. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur up to 6 weeks after you are treated with Gleostine. Call your doctor if you have easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).
Gleostine can have long lasting effects on your body. Your blood will need to be tested once per week for at least 6 weeks after each dose of this medicine.
Before taking this medicine
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
bone marrow suppression;
kidney disease; or
lung disease or breathing problems.
Using Gleostine may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
Gleostine can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.
If you are a woman, do not use Gleostine if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.
If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3.5 months (14 weeks) after your last dose.
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Gleostine.
This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because Gleostine can harm an unborn baby.
Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.
How should I take Gleostine?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Gleostine is taken in a single dose once every 6 weeks. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Because an overdose of lomustine can be fatal, you will be given only enough of Gleostine to take one dose every 6 weeks. To get the correct dose, you may need to take ...
