Gliadel
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Accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide
Generic Name: carmustine
(CAR muh steen)
What is Gliadel?
Gliadel is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Carmustine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Gliadel is used to treat cancerous brain tumors and some types of blood cancer (multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas).
Gliadel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Gliadel?
Gliadel should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Serious side effects have been reported with the use of Gliadel including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with carmustine.
In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and following treatment with Gliadel. Also, carmustine has been associated with the lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.
Who should not take Gliadel?
Before taking Gliadel, tell your doctor if you have
You may not be able to take Gliadel, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Gliadel is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that carmustine is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take carmustine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with carmustine.
It is not known whether Gliadel passes into breast milk. Do not take carmustine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
How should I take Gliadel?
Gliadel should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with Gliadel depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
The Gliadel wafers are surgically implanted in the brain where they release the medication and gradually dissolve.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with Gliadel to monitor progress and side effects.
Your healthcare provider will store Gliadel injection or wafers as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing carmustine injection at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Gliadel.
What happens if I overdose?
If for any reason an overdose of Gliadel is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Symptoms of a Gliadel overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.
What should I avoid while taking Gliadel?
Gliadel can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with carmustine. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.
Skin accidentally exposed to Gliadel injection should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.
What are the possible side effects of Gliadel?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives)
- decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; unusual easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, sore throat or signs of infection)
- seizures, brain swelling, or brain infection (Gliadel wafers only)
- shortness of breath or dry cough
- abdominal pain or yellowing of the eyes or skin; or
- little or no urine production.
Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience
In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and following treatment with Gliadel. Also, carmustine has been associated with the lung disorders pulmonary fibrosis. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Gliadel?
Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with Gliadel. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with carmustine.
Other drugs may interact with Gliadel. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with carmustine.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about Gliadel written for health professionals that you may read.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum 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.
Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision Date: 4/12/2009.
