Mechlorethamine, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: mechlorethamine, injection; nitrogen mustard; HN-2; Mustargen

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, and other forms of cancer. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a bone marrow disorder
• gout
• kidney stones

Also tell your provider if you have recently had any kind of infection or if you are taking radiation therapy.

This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children) whether you are a man or a woman. If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is usually not given during pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant. Do not become pregnant during this treatment. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during this treatment. Do not breast-feed while receiving these injections.

How do I use it?

This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers experienced with this drug should prescribe it. These infusions are given by your healthcare provider in a clinic or hospital where you can be monitored closely. You will have several courses of treatment, depending on your condition and response. Keep all your appointments.

What should I watch out for?

If this medicine accidentally leaks out of the vein where it is injected, it can damage tissue. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have redness, pain, or swelling at the site of injection.

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

While on this medicine, your healthcare provider may want you to drink extra fluids to help prevent kidney problems.

This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.

Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin while receiving this medicine. It may increase the risk of bleeding. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider.

Nausea and vomiting can occur 1 to 3 hours after an injection. Ask your healthcare provider about ways to decrease these effects.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe nausea or vomiting, fever, chills, sore throat, dizziness, yellow skin or eyes, painful blisters on the skin, unusual bruising or bleeding, black or tarry stools, pain or bruising at the injection site.

Other: Loss of appetite, trouble hearing or ringing in the ears, weakness, diarrhea, hair loss, joint pain, irregular menstrual periods, headache, mild nausea and vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• vaccines

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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