Last update March 24, 2019

Topic Carmustine

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

An antineoplastic from the nitrosurea group that acts as an alkylating agent. Indicated topically in the treatment of mycosis fungoides.

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breastmilk.

The small dose applied, the minimal adverse effects of its topical application (MacArthur, 2017, Zackheim 2003, Zackheim 1985), its rapid systemic elimination and its low oral bioavailability would make interruption of breastfeeding unnecessary.

As it is a medication with minimal but possibly serious adverse effects (Zackheim 1990), it would be advisable to wait 5 hours (5 half lives) before resuming breastfeeding. Meanwhile, express and discard milk from the breast regularly.

It is advisable to avoid application in places that may come into direct contact with the infant, or clean well before the infant can come into contact with the treated area of the skin.

Given the strong evidence that exists regarding the benefits of breastfeeding for the development of babies and the health of mothers, it is advisable to evaluate the risk-benefit of any maternal treatment, including chemotherapy, individually advising each mother who wishes to continue with breastfeeding (Koren 2013).


See below the information of this related product:

  • Carmustine (Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Topic Carmustine.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Other names

Topic Carmustine in other languages or writings:

Group

Topic Carmustine belongs to this group or family:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 5 - 28 %
Molecular weight 214 daltons
Protein Binding 77 - 80 %
VD 3.25 - 5.1 l/Kg
pKa 11.96 -
T½ 0.25 - 1 hours

References

  1. MacArthur KM, Jariwala N, Kim EJ, Rook AH. Topical Carmustine as Monotherapy or as Multimodality Therapy for Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides. Acta Derm Venereol. 2017 Abstract
  2. Zackheim HS. Topical carmustine (BCNU) in the treatment of mycosis fungoides. Dermatol Ther. 2003 Abstract
  3. Zackheim HS, Epstein EH Jr, Crain WR. Topical carmustine (BCNU) for cutaneous T cell lymphoma: a 15-year experience in 143 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990 Abstract
  4. Henner WD, Peters WP, Eder JP, Antman K, Schnipper L, Frei E 3rd. Pharmacokinetics and immediate effects of high-dose carmustine in man. Cancer Treat Rep. 1986 Abstract
  5. Zackheim HS, Epstein EH Jr, Crain WR. Topical carmustine therapy for lymphomatoid papulosis. Arch Dermatol. 1985 Abstract

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