DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Mechlorethamine, Nitrogen Mustard

March 21, 2017

Mechlorethamine Topical gel

What is this medicine?

MECHLORETHAMINE (me klor ETH a meen) topical gel is a chemotherapy drug that is used to treat mycosis fungoides which is a type of skin lymphoma.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to mechlorethamine, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for external use only. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Apply to completely dry skin at least 4 hours before or 30 minutes after showering or washing. Wash hands before and after use. Caregivers should wear disposable gloves to apply medicine. Avoid applying this medicine inside your eyes, nose, and mouth. Allow skin to dry for 5 to 10 minutes before covering with clothing. You may apply moisturizers to treated areas 2 hours before or 2 hours after applying this medicine. Do not wear air or water tight coverings over affected skin area. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, only use that dose. Do not apply extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected with this medicine.

Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medicine can transfer from your body to others. If a person or pet comes in contact with the area where this medicine was applied to your skin, they may have a serious risk of side effects. If you cannot avoid skin-to-skin contact with another person, make sure the site where this medicine was applied is covered with clothing. If accidental contact happens, the skin of the person or pet should be washed right away with soap and water.

Do not get this medicine in your eyes. If you do, rinse out with plenty of cool tap water.

Talk to your doctor about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancers if you take this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • severe redness, blistering, or swelling of the skin

  • skin infection

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):

  • darkening of skin color

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the original container. Use within 30 minutes of taking out of the refrigerator. Return the tube to the refrigerator after each use. Talk with your pharmacist if the tube has been out of the refrigerator for more than 1 hour a day. Throw away any unused medicine after 60 days.

This medicine is flammable. Avoid exposure to heat, fire, flame, and smoking.

Discard unused medicine and used packaging carefully.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Mechlorethamine Hydrochloride Solution for injection

What is this medicine?

MECHLORETHAMINE (me klor ETH a meen) is a chemotherapy drug. This medicine is used to treat many types of cancer like Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, and some blood and lung cancers.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • blood disorders

  • gout

  • infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

  • recent or ongoing radiation therapy

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to mechlorethamine, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This drug is usually given as an injection into a vein or infused into a body cavity. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • nalidixic acid

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • medicines to increase blood counts like filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, sargramostim

  • vaccines

Talk to your doctor or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:

  • acetaminophen

  • aspirin

  • ibuprofen

  • ketoprofen

  • naproxen

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor for checks on your progress. This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

In some cases, you may be given additional medicines to help with side effects. Follow all directions for their use.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

Men should inform their doctor if they wish to father a child. This medicine may lower sperm counts.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • low blood counts - this medicine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.

  • signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine

  • signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

  • signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, fainting spells, lightheadedness

  • breathing problems

  • changes in hearing

  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

  • pain, swelling, redness at site where injected

  • unusual bleeding or bruising

  • unusually weak or tired

  • vomiting

  • yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • diarrhea

  • hair loss

  • loss of appetite

  • metallic taste or changes in taste

  • missed menstrual periods

  • nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert