Belustine (Lomustine)

What is Belustine?

Belustine contains Lomustine, a type of alkaline agent. It can slow down cell growth which is very important when someone is being treated for various health issues.

What is Belustine Used for?

Belustine may be prescribed to help reduce the growth of cancer cells. By keeping them isolated other forms of treatment including radiation and chemotherapy can be more useful. Belustine is often used for treatment of tumors in the brain and for Hodgkin’s lyphoma or Hodgkin's disease. Often, it isn’t tried unless other forms of treatment have failed to yield results.

Belustine Dosage and How to Take Belustine

Belustine is an oral medication that is taken for a period of 6 or 8 weeks. The length of time depends on how well the treatment is working for an individual. The medication should be taken with water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Taking it with food can result in nausea and or vomiting.

The dosage depends on the patient, their weight, and how aggressive the cancer is spreading. After the maximum of 8 weeks, there needs to be a 4 week window without it. Then the cycle of treatment with Belustine may be started again. Your doctor may start you out with a given dose and then increase or decrease it over time based on how you are doing with it. Never alter the dose on your own.

Possible Side Effects of Belustine

There are plenty of possible side effects that can occur with the use of Belustine. The fact that Belustine is combined with other cancer treatments at the same time can increase side effects. Many patients experience loss of appetite, hair loss, and chronic fatigue.

It is important to continue eating regular meals with Belustine even if you aren’t hungry. Food may start to have a metallic taste to it that isn't appealing. If that occurs, use plastic utensils rather than silverware. You should also avoid drinking beverages out of aluminum cans.

Belustine Precautions and Warnings

Make sure you tell your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects. This includes changes in vision, speech that is slurred, confusion, and loss of memory. If you experience tightness in the chest, swelling of the face, changes in breathing, or changes in heart rate then you need to seek immediate medical attention. Those can be signs of an allergic reaction.