Has your doctor told you that you have a skin cancer called Mycosis Fungoides? He or she may have prescribed a gel called Mechlorethamine as a treatment. This is a somewhat complicated medication. Therefore, it is important to be fully informed about it before using it and to use it correctly for your health and safety. So, let's talk briefly about this medication, how to use it, and what to be careful about.
What is Mechlorethamine?
Simply put, Mechlorethamine is a chemotherapy drug that comes in the form of a gel that is applied directly to the skin to kill cancer cells. It is not given for all skin cancers. In particular, doctors recommend this gel to treat a condition called mycosis fungoides, which is a type of lymphoma that occurs in the skin. It is not a pill that you take, but is applied directly to the affected areas of the skin.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before prescribing this gel to you, your doctor will ask you about some things. However, you should definitely inform your doctor about the following things.
- If you have an allergy to Mechlorethamine or any other chemotherapy medicine.
- If you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes.
- If you are pregnant , or planning to have a baby , this is very important.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not.
How exactly do you use this gel?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is essential to use it correctly. Remember these steps carefully.
- External use only: Never apply this to your mouth, nose, or inside your eyes. It is for external use only.
- Timing is important: Apply this gel 4 hours before bathing or showering, or 30 minutes after bathing/showering. Make sure to apply when the skin is completely dry.
- Wash your hands: Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the gel.
- If someone else is applying it: If someone else (caregiver) is applying it to help you, that person should definitely wear disposable gloves .
- Let it dry: Apply the gel and let the skin dry thoroughly for about 5 to 10 minutes before getting dressed.
- Moisturizers: If you are using any moisturizer, apply it 2 hours before or 2 hours after applying this gel.
- Do not cover tightly: Do not cover the area where the gel was applied with something like a plaster to make it airtight or waterproof.
- Only use the prescribed dosage: Use only the amount and frequency prescribed by your doctor. Applying too much will not heal the wound as quickly.
- Do not stop: Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice.
If you are giving this medicine to children, be sure to talk to your pediatrician about it. They may need special care.
What if the dose of the medicine is increased or the time is missed?
If you suddenly think you have taken too much of this medicine, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
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 two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
Special considerations when using this medicine
This is not like a regular cream, so there are a few things to be very careful about.
| Things to be aware of | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Risk of spreading to others | If your skin, which has been applied to this gel, comes into contact with the skin of another person (especially a child) or a pet, they may also experience side effects. Therefore, avoid skin-to-skin contact with other people as much as possible. If possible, keep the area where the medicine was applied covered with clothing. In the event of accidental contact, immediately wash the area with soap and water. |
| Pregnancy and childbirth | This is very important. If you are a woman, avoid getting pregnant while using this medicine. If you are a man, avoid fathering a child while using this medicine. It can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Also, do not breastfeed while taking this medicine. If you have any questions about your fertility, talk to your doctor about it. |
| If it gets into your eyes | If it accidentally gets into your eyes, immediately rinse them thoroughly with clean water. |
| Other cancer risk | Using this medicine may slightly increase your risk of developing other types of skin cancer. Don't be alarmed by this, but be aware of this risk by talking to your doctor. |
What side effects can be expected?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue or face. |
| Serious skin reactions | Severe redness, blistering, or swelling where the medicine was applied. |
| Skin infections | Symptoms such as redness, pain, and pus on the skin. |
| Usually does not require medical treatment (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Skin discoloration | Darkening of the skin color in the area where the medication is applied. |
How to store the medicine?
It is also very important to store this medicine properly.
- Keep out of reach of children: Do not leave this within the reach of children.
- Refrigerate: Store at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (2°C - 8°C), which means in the fridge .
- After use: Use within 30 minutes of taking it out of the fridge. Return the tube to the fridge after use.
- Disposal: Discard any remaining medicine within 60 days of starting to use the medicine tube.
- Flammable: This gel is flammable. Therefore, keep it completely away from fire, excessive heat, and smoking.
Take-Home Message
- This is a special medicine. Always follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
- If someone else is applying medicine to you, that person should definitely use gloves.
- This medicine can spread from you to other people, especially children and pets, through contact. Be very careful about that.
- Avoid becoming pregnant or fathering a child while using this medicine.
- Store the medicine in the refrigerator as directed, remembering that it is flammable.
- If you have any serious side effects, questions, or concerns, talk to your doctor immediately.
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