Has your doctor prescribed Busulfan (pronounced: bew-sul-fan) to you or someone in your family? It's normal to feel a little nervous and have a lot of questions when starting cancer treatment. This is because we don't know exactly what this medication is or how it works. So today, let's talk about Busulfan, what it does, and what you need to be careful about when using it, in a simple way that you can understand.
What kind of medicine is Busulfan?
Simply put, Busulfan is a drug that is used to treat cancer conditions like leukemia. We call this chemotherapy. The main thing this drug does is to control the rapid division and growth of cancer cells in our body. That is, it slows down the growth of cancer.
This medication is most commonly available under the brand name Myleran. Your doctor may also prescribe this medication for other purposes. So if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting Busulfan treatment, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Because some medical conditions require special care when using this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Health condition or fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Head injuries | If you have previously suffered a severe blow to the head and been in an accident. |
| Infectious conditions | Current infections like chickenpox and herpes. |
| Liver diseases | If you have any liver disease. |
| Decreased blood cell levels | If there are reports of low levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets in the blood. |
| Respiratory diseases | Lung diseases such as asthma or COPD. |
| Radiation therapy | If you have recently received or are currently receiving radiation treatment. |
| Seizures | If you have had a history of seizures. |
| Thalassemia | If you have thalassemia. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to busulfan, other anticancer drugs, other medicines, foods or preservatives. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use this medicine?
This is a pill that you take by mouth. Take this medicine with a glass of water. The most important thing is to take this medicine at the same time every day, exactly as your doctor has told you. Do not take more than the prescribed amount or take it more often. Continue taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
You should be especially careful if you give this medicine to children. Talk to your doctor about it.
What to do if you accidentally take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Don't delay.
Also remember, this medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that can interact with Busulfan
Some medications can interact with Busulfan, so it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
- Acetaminophen - (e.g. Panadol)
- Itraconazole
- Medicines that increase blood cell counts (e.g. filgrastim, pegfilgrastim)
- Other chemotherapy medications
- Phenytoin
- Thioguanine
- Vaccines
This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements you are taking. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
It's normal to feel uncomfortable.
It is normal to feel a little uncomfortable and lethargic when taking these types of anti-cancer drugs. This is because these drugs affect both cancer cells and healthy cells to some extent. Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience. However, do not stop taking the treatment until your doctor tells you to.
Be careful of infections.
This medicine may slightly weaken your body's immune system, which means you are more likely to develop illnesses and infections.
- If you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, and cough , do not self-medicate and call your doctor immediately.
- Try to stay away from people who are sick as much as possible.
Watch out for bleeding and bruising.
This medicine may cause increased bleeding from even minor injuries and bruising. If you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, tell your doctor.
Learn about pregnancy and childbirth
This is a very important matter.
- If you or your partner are hoping to have a child, talk to your doctor about it.
- If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, the baby may have serious birth defects.
- Therefore, it is essential for both women and men to use reliable contraception during treatment and for some time after stopping it. Men should use a condom. Ask your doctor for more information about this.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother, tell your doctor before starting treatment.
- This medicine may affect fertility. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor about it.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Busulfan can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some are serious and some are not serious.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Side effect | Symptoms |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Breathing difficulties | Dry cough, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, sharp pain in the chest, back, or stomach. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, urinary tract infections. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, and yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| Decreased red blood cells | Paleness, extreme fatigue, dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing. |
| Seizures | Having a fit-like condition. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Bruises all over the body, bleeding gums. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Skin discoloration | Something like a darkening of the skin color. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Stomach upset and vomiting. |
How should you store the medicine?
- Keep it out of reach of children and pets. This is very important.
- Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius).
- Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Do not use expired medications. Dispose of them properly. Consult your doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- Busulfan is a medicine that controls the growth of cancer cells. Always take it exactly as your doctor tells you, and at the right time.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medications you are taking.
- Be careful of infections and unnecessary injuries while taking the medicine. If you develop symptoms such as fever, tell your doctor immediately.
- Be sure to use a reliable method of birth control during treatment and for a period of time afterward.
- If you experience serious side effects (skin rash, difficulty breathing, unusual bleeding), inform your doctor without delay.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
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