Gliadel Wafer (carmustine in polifeprosan 20)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Carmustine, a nitrosourea-derivative alkylating agent, is an antineoplastic agent.
USES: This medication is an implant used to treat certain types of brain tumors (such as malignant glioma). The implant is a combination product (wafer) made of carmustine and polifeprosan 20. Carmustine belongs to a class of drugs known as alkylating agents.
It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. Polifeprosan 20 helps control the release of carmustine in the brain.
Generic name: carmustine in polifeprosan 20
Pronunciation: (kar-MUS-teen/POL-ee-FEP-roe-san)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Gliadel Wafer
Indications
The following indications are listed for Gliadel Wafer:
- Glioblastoma Multiforme
- Malignant Glioma
Also known as: Grade Iv Astrocytoma, Malignant Glial Tumor, Malignant Gliocytoma, Malignant Neurogliocytoma, Malignant Neuroglioma, Malignant Neurospongioma.
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
Interactions of carmustine wafers with other drugs have not been formally studied. In clinical trials of patients undergoing surgery and intracranial implantation of carmustine wafers for recurrent malignant glioma, chemotherapy was withheld for at least 4 weeks (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) prior to and 2 weeks after surgery. The short-term or long-term toxicity of carmustine wafers used in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy has not been fully evaluated.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
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No enhanced messaging available.
Carmustine may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women, but potential benefits from use of the drug may be acceptable in certain conditions despite possible risks to the fetus. Carmustine has been shown to be teratogenic in rats and embryotoxic in rats and rabbits receiving dosages approximating the usual human dosage. There are no adequate and controlled studies to date using carmustine or carmustine wafer implants in pregnant women, and the drug should be used during pregnancy only in life-threatening situations or severe disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant during carmustine therapy. When the drug is administered during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving the drug, the patient should be informed of the potential hazard to the fetus.
It is not known whether carmustine is distributed in milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to carmustine in nursing infants, nursing should be discontinued during systemic carmustine therapy.
It is not known whether components of the carmustine wafer, including carmustine, carboxyphenoxypropane, or sebacic acid, are distributed in milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to carmustine in nursing infants, nursing should be discontinued in patients receiving carmustine wafer implants.
No enhanced messaging available.
ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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