BiCNU Side Effects
Generic name: carmustine
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 17, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about carmustine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name BiCNU.
Applies to carmustine: intravenous powder for solution. Other dosage forms:
Warning
Intravenous route (Powder for Solution)
Carmustine causes suppression of marrow function (including thrombocytopenia and leukopenia), which may contribute to bleeding and overwhelming infections. Monitor blood counts, adjust dosage based on nadir, and do not administer a repeat course until blood counts recover. Carmustine causes dose-related pulmonary toxicity; patients receiving greater than 1400 mg/m(2) cumulative dose are at significantly higher risk. Delayed pulmonary toxicity can occur years after treatment and may result in death, particularly in patients treated in childhood.
Serious side effects of BiCNU
Along with its needed effects, medicines like carmustine (the active ingredient contained in BiCNU) can sometimes cause some unwanted effects such as blood problems, loss of hair, and other side effects; these are described below. Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.
Serious side effects of BiCNU
Along with its needed effects, carmustine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking carmustine:
More common
- Cough
- pain or redness at the injection site
- trouble breathing
Less common
- Black, tarry stools
- blood in the urine or stools
- cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills
- fever or chills
- flushing of the face
- lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills
- painful or difficult urination, accompanied by fever or chills
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- sores in the mouth or on the lips
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
- Decrease in urination
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach pain, severe
- bleeding gums
- bone pain
- chest pain
- cloudy urine
- confusion
- dark urine
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- dry mouth
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- feeling of warmth
- hives, itching, or skin rash
- increased blood pressure
- increased thirst
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- pain in the lower back or side
- pale skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- seizures
- sore throat
- sweating
- swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- swollen glands
- thirst
- tightness in the chest
- troubled breathing with exertion
- weight gain
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of BiCNU
Some side effects of carmustine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Diarrhea
- discoloration of the skin along the injection site
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to carmustine: implant device, intravenous powder for injection.
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism
Frequency not reported: Pulmonary toxicity (IV formulation)[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Myelosuppression (IV formulation)[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea, vomiting, constipation
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain
Postmarketing reports: Diarrhea, anorexia[Ref]
Hepatic
Postmarketing reports: Increased transaminase, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased bilirubin[Ref]
Renal
Postmarketing reports: Progressive azotemia, decrease in kidney size, renal failure[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Postmarketing reports: Tachycardia, chest pain, Veno-occlusive disease[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Administration reactions (IV formulation)
Postmarketing reports: Burning sensation[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Asthenia, fever
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain
Frequency not reported: Wafer migration (wafer formulation)[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Ocular toxicity (IV formulation)
Postmarketing reports: Conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, blurred vision, loss of depth perception[Ref]
Oncologic
Postmarketing reports: Acute leukemia, bone marrow dysplasia[Ref]
Immunologic
Very common (10% or more): Impaired neurosurgical wound healing (wafer formulation) (16%)
Common (1% to 10%): Meningitis (wafer formulation)
Postmarketing reports: Opportunistic infection (sometimes fatal)
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
Metabolic
Postmarketing reports: Diabetes mellitus
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Confusion, depression
Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, thinking abnormal, hallucinations, insomnia, personality disorder
Genitourinary
Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection
Nervous system
(wafer formulation) (23%), aphasia, somnolence, speech disorder
Common (1% to 10%): Intracranial hypertension (wafer formulation), brain abscess (wafer formulation), brain cyst (wafer formulation), hydrocephalus (wafer formulation), cerebral edema (wafer formulation), amnesia, facial paralysis, ataxia, hypesthesia, paresthesia, abnormal gait, dizziness, tremor, coma, hypokinesia
Postmarketing reports: Headache, encephalopathy
Dermatologic
Very common (10% or more): Rash
Postmarketing reports: Hyperpigmentation, swelling, erythema, skin necrosis, alopecia, allergic reaction
More about BiCNU (carmustine)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Drug class: alkylating agents
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
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Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
References
1. "Multum Information Services, Inc. Expert Review Panel"
2. O'Driscoll BR, Kalra S, Gattamaneni HR, Woodcock AA (1995) "Late carmustine lung fibrosis. Age at treatment may influence severity and survival." Chest, 107, p. 1355-7
3. Lena H, Desrues B, Le Coz A, Quinquenel ML, Delaval P (1994) "Severe diffuse interstitial pneumonitis induced by carmustine (BCNU)." Chest, 105, p. 1602-3
4. Hasleton PS, O'Driscoll BR, Lynch P, Webster A, Kalra SJ, Gattamaneini HR, Woodcock AA, Poulter LW (1991) "Late BCNU lung: a light and ultrastructural study on the delayed effect of BCNU on the lung parenchyma." J Pathol, 164, p. 31-6
5. (2001) "Product Information. BiCNU (carmustine)." Bristol-Myers Squibb
6. Kanj SS, Sharara AI, Shpall EJ, Jones RB, Peters WP (1991) "Myocardial ischemia associated with high-dose carmustine infusion." Cancer, 68, p. 1910-2
7. Mrozek-Orlowski M, Christie J, Flamme C, Novak J (1991) "Pain associated with peripheral infusion of carmustine." Oncol Nurs Forum, 18, p. 942
8. Wiencke JK, Wiemels J (1995) "Genotoxicity of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU)." Mutat Res, 339, p. 91-119
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.