What is busulfan?
Busulfan is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Busulfan is used to treat the symptoms of chronic myelogenous leukemia (a type of blood cancer). Busulfan is not a cure for leukemia.
Busulfan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about busulfan?
You should not use busulfan if you are allergic to it.
Do not use busulfan without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Before you receive busulfan, tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system, a seizure disorder, a history of head injury or breathing problems, or if you have recently received other cancer medications or radiation treatment.
Busulfan can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood will need to be tested on a weekly or monthly basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested on a regular basis. Busulfan can have long-lasting effects on your body. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor for blood or urine tests.
Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), weight loss, mouth sores, or unusual weakness.
Some people treated with busulfan have developed new forms of cancer. Talk to your doctor about your specific risks and benefits of using this medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using busulfan?
You should not use busulfan if you are allergic to it.
To make sure you can safely take busulfan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
a weak immune system (bone marrow depression) caused by other cancer medications or radiation treatment;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
history of head injury; or
a history of lung or breathing problems.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use busulfan if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
This medication may affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman.
It is not known whether busulfan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Some people treated with busulfan have developed new forms of cancer. Talk to your doctor about your specific risks and benefits of using this medication.