Belustine

Belustine (Lomustine) is a type of cancer medicine used for the palliative treatment of Hodgkin`s disease which is resistant to other drugs and primary or metastatic brain tumors. Its mechanism of action is affecting the proliferation of cancer cells. Patients are either treated with this medicine alone (monotherapy) or else given it alongside radiotherapy, surgery or a treatment regimen involving multiple chemotherapy drugs. Other uses include treating tumors affecting the lung, malignant melanoma, non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma (as a second line treatment), gastrointestinal tumors, kidney cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma and some conditions not listed here.

The active ingredient in this medicine is classified as an alkylating agent. It is said to exhibit considerably high lipid solubility, which allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier. Abnormal cancer cells can spread inside the body, which may cause damage to body tissues. However, this medicine acts on the DNA of these abnormal cells. By affecting the DNA chains and blocking the repair of certain strand breaks in these chains, it is able to slow down or prevent the growth and spread of these cancer cells. This in turn can help to treat cancer.

Belustine (Lomustine) is provided in the form of 40mg capsules, which must be swallowed whole orally. Never break, chew or damage the capsules. In all cases, your physician will determine the required dosage. It is common for patients to be treated with a single dose given every 6 weeks. However, the exact dosage may differ depending on individual factors. Patients treating a brain tumor or Hodgkin`s disease and who have compromised bone marrow function may sometimes be told to administer a lower dosage. Therefore, it is essential that you closely follow all instructions given by your physician.

If you suffer from any side effects while undergoing chemotherapy with Belustine (Lomustine) capsules, make sure that you tell the physician providing treatment. Some possible side effects are listed here:

• Poor appetite
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Vomiting and nausea
• Feeling weak and tired
• Slight visual disturbances

Make sure that you consult a physician as soon as possible if you suffer from a noticeable reduction in the frequency at which you urinate, symptoms which are indicative of an infection, bruising, bleeding, sores around the mouth or any other severe side effects which have not been referenced here.

If you vomit directly after you administer the capsule, ask your physician for advice on what to do. Patients are also usually told not to take 2 doses so as to make up for a dosage which has been missed.

Treatment with this medicine may also harm healthy cells, and it is possible that a reduction in healthy blood cell production may occur. This could increase the risk of infection. Your physician will order regular blood tests so as to check the levels of blood cells in your body.

This medication may cause birth defects, and there is also a chance of it affecting fertility in patients who undergo treatment with it. You are advised to talk to your physician about this prior to beginning treatment.