Busulfex: Uses, indications and cautions when using

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Chronic myelogenous leukemia responds very well to stem cell transplantation, but not everyone can do it right away. Therefore, before a cell transplant, the patient needs to be treated medically and one of the drugs used is the drug Busulfex. So what is Busulfex and how is it used?

1. What is Busulfex?

The active ingredient Busulfan is Busulfan. This medication is used to treat patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia before a stem cell transplant.

2. Instructions for using Busulfex

Busulfex is administered by slow intravenous infusion (for at least 2 hours) by specially trained medical staff in hospitals. Doses between doses of Busulfex are usually every 6 hours or as directed by your doctor.
During the use of busulfex, the doctor may prescribe other drugs to prevent convulsions, nausea, and vomiting caused by side effects of the drug. Dosage of Busulfex is calculated according to the patient's weight, medical condition, degree of chronic myelogenous leukemia, laboratory test results and response to treatment.

3. Side effects of the drug Busulfex

Common side effects of Busulfex, including:
Nausea, vomiting; loose stools or constipation ; Anorexia; Mouth sores ; Stomach pain, abdominal pain; Dizzy; Edema of ankles, feet, hands; Facial flushing; Headache ; Loss or trouble sleeping. If the above symptoms appear or persist seriously during treatment, the patient should notify the medical staff for appropriate treatment.
Nausea and vomiting can be intense and uncomfortable for the patient. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe additional medications to prevent or minimize nausea and vomiting. At the same time, to limit this situation, patients should divide their meals into several small meals, do not eat before the time of infusion of Busulfex or limit excessive activities that cause nausea.
Many patients when using active ingredient Busulfan may experience serious side effects. However, a doctor who has prescribed this drug means that the doctor has judged that the benefits of treatment must outweigh the side effects to the patient's health. Careful, close monitoring from doctors and medical staff can help minimize the risk of unwanted effects.
Some serious side effects of Busulfex may occur, including:
Signs of liver disease (such as nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, jaundice, yellowing of the eyes, watery eyes) dark urine ); Mental changes (such as depression, hallucinations, anxiety, confusion); Muscle spasticity; Increased thirst; Increased frequency of urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; Coughing up blood, urinating blood; Convulsions; Pain, swelling, redness at the injection site; Faint. Busulfan can cause very serious (possibly fatal) lung-related problems. Notify the doctor immediately when the patient has signs of lung disease such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, persistent cough.
Busulfex may cause other cancers (such as acute leukemia, tumors). Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of cancer, including unusual lumps and sudden weight loss.
In addition to the common side effects mentioned above, patients using Busulfex may experience other signs. At that time, the patient should inform the doctor, medical staff about his condition for timely treatment.

4. Precautions for Busulfex Side Effects

Before treating chronic myelogenous leukemia with Busulfex, patients should tell their doctor if they have ever had a previous allergy to busulfex or any other allergic condition. Some medical history should be taken into account when using the drug:
Blood or bone marrow disease (such as bone marrow suppression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia); Neuropsychiatric diseases (eg, epilepsy, head trauma). Busulfan can expose patients to bacterial and viral attacks or aggravate existing inflammatory conditions. Therefore, patients and healthcare workers should wash their hands to prevent infection and avoid contact with patients with contagious diseases (such as chickenpox, measles, flu).
During treatment with Busulfex, patients should not receive vaccines without the consent of the doctor. Limit contact with people who have just been vaccinated with live attenuated vaccines.
Busulfan may affect fertility in both men and women. Please consult your doctor for more details. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant as busulfan can harm an unborn baby. Men should use safe methods of contraception during use and for at least 3 months after stopping treatment. Women of childbearing age should use reliable contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after stopping Busulfex.

5. Busulfex drug interactions

Busulfex may interact with other drugs, affecting how it works, reducing its effectiveness, and increasing the risk of unwanted effects. Therefore, patients should inform their doctor about any medications they are taking, do not use, stop or change the dosage of any medication without the doctor's approval. Products that may interact with Busulfex are: Nalidixic acid.
Certain laboratory examinations or tests (eg, complete blood count, blood busulfex levels, liver and kidney function) must be performed periodically to monitor disease progression or detect adverse effects. side use.
Busulfex should be used according to a specific schedule. If for some reason the patient misses a dose, consult the doctor immediately to get a new injection schedule.

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Reference source: webmd.com