Busulfan - Benefits, dosage and side effects

Busulfan is one of the chemotherapy drugs to relieve the symptoms of blood cancer, especially chronic myelocytic leukemia (Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia).chronic mylocytic leukemia). This drug is available in tablet and infusion form.

Busulfan works by attaching to one strand of cancer cell DNA, so that the cell cannot divide itself. That way, the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body can be inhibited.

Busulfan can also be used in the treatment of bone marrow disorders, such as polycythemia vera, and as part of preparatory therapy for patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

Busulfan trademark: Myleran, Busulfex

What is Busulfan?

Precautions Before Using Busulfan

• Do not take or use busulfan if you have a history of allergy to this drug or to other cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs.
• Tell your doctor if you have had radiation therapy or treatment with other chemotherapy drugs.
• Tell your doctor if you have used busulfan before but your cancer does not improve.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of blood or bone marrow disorders, such as thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thalassemia, or myeloproliferative disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have a history of weakened immune system, epilepsy, head injury, or lung and respiratory disorders.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• Tell your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy, because busulfan can affect the fertility of the reproductive organs, both men and women.
• If you experience an allergic drug reaction or overdose after taking busulfan, see a doctor immediately.

Dosage and Rules for Use of Busulfan

The dose of busulfan will be given by the doctor according to its intended use. Here is the explanation:

Overcoming chronic myelocytic leukemia

Busulfan is given in tablet form with the following dosages:

• Adult: Initial dose 0.66 mg/kg per day, maximum 4 mg per day, for 3 weeks. The dose can be changed according to the doctor's recommendations.
• Children: the same as the adult dose.

Preparation before bone marrow transplant

Busulfan is given in tablet form with the following dosages:

• Adult: 1 mg/kg, every 6 hours, for 4 days, starting 7 days before transplant.
• Children: Maximum dose 37.5 mg/m2, every 6 hours, for 4 days, starting 7 days before transplantation.

In preparation for bone marrow transplantation, the administration of busulfan is combined with other chemotherapy drugs, namely cyclophosphamide. Cyclophosphamide is given for 2 days, starting 24 hours after the duration of busulfan administration is complete.

Busulfan can also be given as an injection through intravenous fluids in patients who are preparing for bone marrow transplant surgery. The dose will be adjusted according to the patient's condition. The administration of busulfan in the form of an injection may only be carried out by a doctor or by medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor.

Treatment of polycythemia vera

Busulfan is given in tablet form with the following dosages:

• Adults: 4–6 mg per day, for 4–6 weeks. During drug administration, blood conditions must always be monitored, especially the number of blood platelets (platelets).
• Children: the dose will be determined by the doctor based on the patient's condition.

How to Use Busulfan Correctly

Take busulfan tablets according to the doctor's recommendations and the instructions for use on the drug packaging. Patients are advised to take the drug at the same time every day for optimal effect.

Busulfan can be taken before or after meals. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water.

Busulfan can make the patient more susceptible to infection. Therefore, avoid direct contact with people with infectious diseases that are easily transmitted, such as flu and smallpox, while using busulfan.

While using busulfan, do not get vaccinated without a doctor's permission. Patients are also advised to avoid contact with people who have recently been vaccinated from live vaccines (live attenuated vaccine), such as MMR, typhoid, and varicella vaccines.

Have regular medical tests during and after taking busulfan. This is done to estimate drug doses and monitor long-term side effects that may arise.

If you forget to take busulfan, take it as soon as you remember. However, if the distance to the next scheduled use of the drug is too close, proceed directly to the next dose and do not double the dose.

Interactions of Busulfan with Other Drugs

There are several drug interaction effects that can occur if busulfan is used with other drugs, including:

• Increased risk of drug side effects, when used with paracetamol, itraconazole, or metronidazole
• Decreased effectiveness of the drug, when used with phenytoin
• Increased risk of seizures, when used with tramadol, phenothiazine, theophylline, or amitriptyline
• Increased risk of liver problems, when used with thioguanine

Side Effects and Dangers of Busulfan

Some of the side effects that may arise from the use of busulfan are:

• Mouth, nose and throat feel dry
• Skin looks darker
• Fever and chills
• Nauseous
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Muscle ache
• Headache
• Ulcer
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

If the condition does not improve or even worsens, immediately consult a doctor. You are also advised to go to the doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or serious side effects, such as:

• Black stool
• Difficult to breathe
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Seizures
• The whites of the eyes and skin appear yellow (jaundice)