Overview Introduction Carustine 100mg Injection is used to treat cancer of lymphatic system, brain and certain types of cancers of bone marrow. It may also be used to treat other types of cancer. It can be used alone, or together with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy. Carustine 100mg Injection is given as an injection into veins by the healthcare provider. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, infection, confusion, and rash. Other than this some patients might notice anemia (low number of red blood cells), decreased white blood cell count. It is very strong medicine and some people may develop serious side effects while taking it. This medicine may lower your ability to fight infections and lead to problems with your blood, lungs, liver or kidneys. Your doctor will advise you regular blood tests to check for these. Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have liver, lungs, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It may harm your baby. You and your partner should avoid becoming pregnant or fathering a child for several months after your treatment with it has stopped. Uses of Carustine Injection Brain tumor Side effects of Carustine Injection Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them Common side effects of Carustine Headache Weakness Vomiting Infection Confusion Constipation Rash Hair loss Fever Convulsion Depression Speech disorder Brain swelling Thrombophlebitis Hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body) Sleepiness How to cope with side effects? The occurrence of side effects varies from person to person. The following are a few ways of dealing with some of the common side effects. However, consult your doctor if these persist. Coping with Headache Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Rest in a quiet, dimly lit room. Do not sleep more than you normally would. Do not strain your eyes (for example by looking at a screen). Do not drink alcohol. Headaches are usually temporary and usually go away with time. But, if they last longer or get worse, ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller. Coping with Weakness Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Eat a well-balanced diet to keep your energy levels up. Do not drink too much alcohol. Do not drive or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Other things that can help include doing some gentle exercise every day, prioritizing and pacing your activities and having a short nap if you need to. If you are still having problems after a week, speak to your doctor, as they may want to change you to a different type of medicine. Coping with Vomiting You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve. Coping with Infection If you have a low level of white blood cells, you are more likely to get infections. There are several ways to reduce your chances of catching or spreading an infection. Avoid unnecessary exposure to germs when you can. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap or use a sanitiser. Avoid crowds and avoid contact with people who are ill or have infections. Use disposable tissues for coughs and sneezes. Consider using an appropriate face mask. Do not share personal items like cutlery, glasses, towels or toothbrushes with others. Get enough rest and eat a well balanced healthy diet. Coping with Confusion If this medicine makes you feel this way, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. If the feeling does not go away or troubles you, do not take any more medicine and speak to a pharmacist or your doctor. Coping with Constipation Try to eat foods which are high in fiber such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals to increase the bulk and consistency of bowel movements. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks and stay hydrated to promote healthy digestion. Increasing physical activities such as walking, yoga and regular exercise can also be helpful. If your condition does not improve, you can ask your doctor to prescribe you laxative medicine. Coping with Rash There are many treatments for a wide range of skin problems. Avoid hot showers or baths because hot water can irritate the skin. Make sure to pat dry your skin after a bath or shower. Do not rub or scratch the affected area. Leave the skin exposed to the air as much as possible. Do not use perfumed soaps or deodorants. Water containing chlorine can make most skin problems worse, so avoid swimming. Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, tobacco smoke and caffeine as it may also make itching worse. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Always use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Moisturizers can be used regularly to soothe and hydrate the affected area. If it does not get better within a week, speak to a pharmacist or doctor. Coping with Hair loss Use gentle hair products such as baby shampoo. Use a soft brush and comb gently. Avoid using hairdryers, curling tongs or hair straighteners and pat your hair dry after washing. Do not color your hair. Protect your scalp by covering your head in the sun. It is necessary to not take the stress and eat a balanced, nutritious diet as it is vital for the health of your hair. Coping with Depression It is important to talk to your doctor if you think you may be depressed. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can recover. Treatment for depression can involve a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies (such as counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy) and medicines (antidepressants). There are many things you can do for yourself if your depression is not too severe. Exercise is an extremely effective treatment for depression, so make sure you keep as active as possible. It can really lift your mood. A healthy diet can also make a big difference to your mood (as well as improving your physical health). Mindfulness is a technique that many people find helpful. It may be tempting to smoke or drink alcohol, but both will make things worse in the long run. Try talking to a friend or family member even if you do not feel comfortable doing this. Get into a routine with regular sleep patterns and meals. If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, contact your doctor immediately. Coping with Sleepiness If the medicine is making you drowsy during the day, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. You can also consider taking a nap. Physical exercises such as walking may be helpful. Do not drink alcohol, as it will make you feel more tired. Avoid driving or operating heavy equipment when you are feeling drowsy. This problem usually goes away as your body gets used to the medicine. However, if it does not, ask your doctor if you can take your medicine at bedtime or whether the dose can be reduced. show more show less How to use Carustine Injection Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer. How Carustine Injection works Carustine 100mg Injection is an anti-cancer medication. It works by damaging the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This stops their growth and multiplication. Safety Advice Alcohol CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Carustine 100mg Injection. Please consult your doctor. Pregnancy CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR Carustine 100mg Injection is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor. Breastfeeding UNSAFE Carustine 100mg Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby. Driving UNSAFE Carustine 100mg Injection may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Kidney CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR There is limited information available on the use of Carustine 100mg Injection in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor. However, the use of Carustine 100mg Injection is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease. Liver CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR There is limited information available on the use of Carustine 100mg Injection in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor. What if you forget to take Carustine Injection? If you miss a dose of Carustine 100mg Injection, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
