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Carmustine

Carmustine Side Effects

Belinda Li, PharmD, BCOPConnie Zheng, PharmD
Reviewed by Belinda Li, PharmD, BCOP, Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 23, 2024

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Infections
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lower blood cell counts
  • Headaches
  • Low blood pressure
  • Feeling hot or flushed
  • Dizziness
  • Rash
  • Dry skin
  • Tiredness
  • Redness, pain, or swelling at injection site

Less Common Side Effects

Carmustine serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Seizures
  • Serious kidney damage: swelling, tiredness, confusion, urinating more or less than normal, frothy urine
  • Infusion-related reaction: swelling, trouble breathing, chest pain, low blood pressure, flushing, red skin
  • Lung damage: shortness of breath, hacking cough, shallow breathing, unintentional weight loss
  • Serious infections: fevers, chills, cough, trouble breathing, painful or frequent urination
  • Serious bleeds: bleeding or bruising that doesn’t stop or go away, large amounts of bleeding, throwing up blood, black and tarry or bloody stools

Source: DailyMed

The following Carmustine side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
  • Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
  • Painful swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin, blisters or sores at the infusion site
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
  • Vomiting
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