Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | Leaflets | Patient+ | News | Products | Other
Print options:   Other options:   Bookmark and Share

About Busulfan

This belongs to the group of medicines known as alkylating drugs.

Busulfan is used to treat myeloid leukaemia, a type of cancer, and some blood cell or bone marrow problems.

Busulfan works by preventing the growth and division of cells and therefore stops them increasing in numbers.

Busulfan is available in tablet and injection form.

Busulfan is also written as Busulphan. You may notice either spelling used on packaging.

It is also sometimes known as: Myleran; Busilvex. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before Taking Busulfan

Before taking Busulfan make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
  • if you are male and you and your partner are trying for a baby or intend to have children in the future
  • if you suffer from porphyria
  • if you are receiving or have recently received radiotherapy
  • if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
  • if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to Take Busulfan

  • Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
  • If your dosage involves breaking up a tablet you will need to take special precautions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
  • Busulfan occasionally causes you to feel or be sick. It is important to keep taking this medicine at regular dosage times even if you begin to feel unwell.
  • If you vomit shortly after taking a dose, or you forget a dose, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again, or wait until the next dose is due.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of Busulfan contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if empty.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside Busulfan.
  • Important: You must avoid getting pregnant while taking Busulfan. If you are male, you must not get a woman pregnant. Ask your doctor, hospital or pharmacist about suitable contraception.
  • You must keep your regular appointments with the doctor or hospital so your progress can be checked. You may need to have regular blood tests during your treatment with Busulfan.
  • While you are taking Busulfan, and for a while after you stop treatment, do not have any immunisations (vaccinations) without talking to your doctor first. Busulfan lowers the body's resistance and there is a chance that you may get an infection from the vaccine.
  • Before having any kind of surgery, including dental or emergency treatment tell the surgeon, doctor or dentist you are taking Busulfan.
  • If you find you are passing urine less than you would expect, your ankles are swollen or you seem to be retaining fluid see your doctor as soon as possible. You may need to take another medicine to help with this.

Can Busulfan cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects become troublesome.

Feeling sick, being sick, breathlessness, persistent cough, darkening of the skin, weight loss and in women periods may stop.

Important: if you notice any unexpected bleeding or fever (high temperature) contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once.

Less commonly you may experience enlarged breasts (in men and women), muscle weakness, cataracts, fits or blood in your urine.

If you experience any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Busulfan

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool dry place, away from food, direct heat and light.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 08/02/2005   

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk


The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey

Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.

Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | Leaflets | Patient+ | News | Products | Other
Print options:   Other options:   Bookmark and Share
Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

 Please add your experience about this condition / medicine
 Chemotherapy

 Alkylating Drugs (Cancer Therapy)

Latest Health News

 View current health news

NHS Approved Pharmacy - for online prescriptions

Medical equipment

 Pill/Tablet Equipment

Visit the Patient UK Medical Equipment shop

Books


Visit the Patient UK shop

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Advertisements











Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control over the content of any external links above. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information
Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box
Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document
Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure
Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page
Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window
Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice
Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information
Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box
Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document
Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure
Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page
Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window
Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice
Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window
Click here to return to the home page
Click here to read our 'About Us' page
Go to the Emis Access website, where you can book an appointment with your GP, order a repeat prescription or view you medical record online.
Note: this will open in a new window
View and/or join in discussion about health, lifestyle and disease in our interactive forum.
Note: this will open in a new window
Go to our pharmacy product price comparison pages.
Go to our online newspaper for current medical news and commentary.
Note: this will open in a new window
Adverts on this site do not influence the medical content. Click to read more.
Adverts on this site do not influence the medical content. Click to read more.