Belustine (Lomustine) – 40 Mg

✅ Key Benefits

• Crosses blood–brain barrier, enabling treatment of brain tumors

• Oral dosage offers convenient outpatient therapy

• Single‑day dosing simplifies complex chemotherapy schedules

• Broad tumor coverage, including gliomas and Hodgkin lymphoma

🎯 How to Use

• Typically administered once every 6 weeks, under oncologist direction

• Taken on an empty stomach, with a full glass of water

• Follow specific cycle instructions for dose adjustment and monitoring

• Swallow whole; do not chew or crush

• Tested blood counts (CBC, platelets) and liver function regularly to ensure safety

⚠️ Precautions

• Prescription-only; must be prescribed by an oncology specialist

• Myelosuppression risk: frequent hematologic monitoring required

• Potential hepatotoxicity and renal effects—function tests mandatory

• Pregnancy/breastfeeding: contraindicated—requires effective contraception

• Interaction risks: other myelosuppressive or hepatotoxic drugs require caution

🤕 Possible Side Effects

• Common: Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, constipation

• Hematologic: Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia

• Other: Hepatotoxicity, renal impairment, risk of secondary malignancies (rare)

• Serious: Severe bone marrow suppression—urgent care needed if signs of infection or bleeding

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What’s the usual dosing schedule?
A. Typically 40 mg once every 6 weeks, but oncologists may adjust based on blood counts and response.

Q. Who is Belustine for?
A. Patients with gliomas, glioblastoma, recurrent brain metastases, or Hodgkin lymphoma, under specialist supervision.

Q. How can I manage side effects?
A. Supportive care includes antiemetics, hydration, blood transfusions, and dose modifications as needed.

Q. Can this be taken long-term?
A. Yes, for limited cycles—ongoing monitoring ensures safety and minimizes toxicity.