Busulfan (Systemic).

 
In the U.S. -- 
     Myleran 
     Busulfex 
 
In Canada -- 
     Myleran 
     Antineoplastic 
Description 

Busulfan ( byoo-SUL-fan) belongs to the group of medicines known as alkylating agents. It is used to treat some kinds of cancer of the blood. It may also be used as a conditioning regimen prior to progenitor cell transplantation for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Busulfan seems to act by interfering with the function of the bone marrow. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by busulfan, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with busulfan, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.

Busulfan is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

 
Oral 
 
     Tablets (U.S. and Canada) 
Parenteral 
 
     Injection (U.S.) 
Before Using This Medicine 

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For busulfan, the following should be considered:

 
Allergies -- 

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to busulfan.

 
Pregnancy -- 

Although only one case has been reported, there is a chance that this medicine may cause birth defects if either the male or the female is taking it at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. In addition, many cancer medicines may cause sterility which could be permanent. Sterility may occur with busulfan and the possibility should be kept in mind.

Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are taking busulfan. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while taking busulfan.

 
Breast-feeding -- 

It is not known whether busulfan passes into breast milk. However, because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended …