Lomustine

Generic name: lomustine [ LOE-mus-teen ]
Brand names: Gleostine, CeeNU
Dosage form: oral capsule (10 mg; 100 mg; 40 mg)
Drug class:Alkylating agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 14, 2020. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is lomustine?

Lomustine is used to treat brain tumors in people who have already received surgery or radiation.

Lomustine is also used with other cancer medicines to treat Hodgkin's disease, after other treatments have failed.

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

Warnings

Lomustine can weaken (suppress) your immune system. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur up to 6 weeks after you are treated with lomustine. Call your doctor if you have easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

Lomustine 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;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• lung disease or breathing problems.

Using lomustine may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

Lomustine can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, do not use lomustine 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 lomustine.

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 lomustine 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 lomustine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Lomustine 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 lomustine to take one do...