Brand: Mustargen
Generic: Mechlorethamine
Mustargen is an antineoplastic medicine (cancer drug). It is an alkylating agent. It works by killing cancer cells.
It is used as a part of combination therapy in Hodgkin disease and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is also used in lung and breast cancer.
It is available as a powder for a solution and is given only by or under your doctor’s supervision.
Before using Mustargen, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.
There are no adequate studies done which prove Mechlorethamine’s harmful effects in children. It is not expected to cause different effects than adults. Use it after consulting your doctor.
This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults.
It is a category D drug. It is not safe to use in pregnancy. It may cause harm to an unborn baby and can result in the loss of an unborn baby.
Mechlorethamine is not known if it can pass into breast milk or not. Do not use this medication while nursing your child.
Mechlorethamine may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug. Some of them are listed below:
Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness. Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as,
To use Mustargen properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. It is given as an injection into your vein by your doctor or a trained healthcare professional.
Drink plenty of water while having treatment with it so that you will pass more urine. This will prevent kidney problems. Do not discontinue it even if you feel sick.
The amount of Mustargen that you will receive and the route depends on many factors, including:
Your doctor will determine your dose and schedule.
Before using Mustargen, there are some precautions you must take. Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits.
It is a bone marrow suppressant. It temporarily reduces your white blood cells and platelets, and so making you susceptible to infections and bleeding. While using this drug you should avoid people with the infection.
Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
Mechlorethamine is a chemical that causes extensive tissue damage and blistering if it escapes from the vein. The nurse or doctor who gives this drug must be carefully trained. If you notice redness or swelling at the IV site while you are receiving Mechlorethamine, alert your health care professional immediately.
Nausea and vomiting usually occur within first 3 hours after drug administration. You will be given anti-nausea medication before receiving the drug.
Do not have any immunization (vaccination) during and after the treatment with this drug without your doctor’s approval. Mechlorethamine may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent.
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Mustargen. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.
Most common are:
Less common are:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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