Belustine
Belustine - General Information
An alkylating agent of value against both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
Pharmacology of Belustine
Belustine is an alkylating agent of the nitrosourea type. Belustine and its metabolites interferes with the function of DNA and RNA. It is cell cycle–phase nonspecific. Cancers form when some cells within the body multiply uncontrollably and abnormally. These cells then spread and destroy nearby tissues. Belustine acts by slowing this process down. It kills cancer cells by damaging the DNA (the genetic material inside the cells) and stops them from dividing.
Belustine for patients
Lomustine (loe-MUS-teen) is a drug that is used to treat some kinds of cancer.
It is a capsule that you take by mouth.
A blood sample will be taken before each treatment. The dose and timing of your
chemotherapy may be changed based on your blood counts and/or other side effects.
It is important to take lomustine exactly as directed by your doctor. Make sure
you understand the directions. You may be given capsules of more than one strength
to make the right dose. Unless your doctor gives you other directions, take all
the capsules as a single dose at bedtime (on an empty stomach with a glass of water).
If you vomit within 45 minutes of taking lomustine, call your cancer doctor the
next morning.
Store lomustine capsules out of the reach of children, at room temperature, away
from heat, light and moisture.
Other drugs may interact with lomustine. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before
you start taking any new drugs.
The drinking of alcohol (in small amounts) will not affect the safety or usefulness
of lomustine.
Lomustine may cause sterility in men and menopause in women which may be permanent.
If you plan to have children, discuss this with your doctor before being treated with
lomustine.
Lomustine may damage sperm and may harm the baby if used during pregnancy. It is best
to use birth control while being treated with lomustine. Tell your doctor right away
if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Do not breast feed during treatment.
Tell doctors or dentists that you are taking lomustine before you receive any treatment
from them.
Belustine Interactions
No Information Provided.
Belustine Contraindications
CeeNU should not be given to individuals who have demonstrated a previous hypersensitivity to it.
Additional information about Belustine
Belustine Indication: Indicated primarily for the treatment of brain tumours. Also for the treatment of breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, lung cancer, malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and renal cell cancer.
Mechanism Of Action: Belustine is a highly lipophilic nitrosourea compound which undergoes hydrolysis in vivo to form reactive metabolites. These metabolites cause alkylation and cross-linking of DNA. Other biologic effects include inhibition of DNA synthesis and some cell cycle phase specificity. Nitrosureas generally lack cross-resistance with other alkylating agents.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Lomustine
Synonyms: Chloroethylcyclohexylnitrosourea; Lomustina [INN-Spanish]; Lomustinum [INN-Latin]; CCNU
Drug Category: Antineoplastic Agents
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Lomustine: Belustine; CINU; Cecenu; CeeNU;
Absorption: Well and rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Toxicity (Overdose): Oral, rat: LD50 = 70 mg/kg. Pulmonary toxicity has been reported at cumulative doses usually greater than 1,100 mg/m2. There is one report of pulmonary toxicity at a cumulative dose of only 600 mg. The onset of toxicity has varied from 6 months after initiation of therapy, to as late as 15 years after.
Protein Binding: 50%
Biotransformation: Hepatic. Rapid and complete, with active metabolites.
Half Life: Approximately 94 minutes, however the metabolites have a serum half-life of 16 to 48 hours.
Dosage Forms of Belustine: Capsule Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name: 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea
Chemical Formula: C9H16ClN3O2
Lomustine on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomustine
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals