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Quick facts
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 309012
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Carmustine for injection, USP is indicated as palliative therapy as a single agent or in established combination therapy in the following: Brain tumors glioblastoma, brainstem glioma, medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymoma, and metastatic brain tumors. Multiple myeloma in combination with prednisone. Relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma in combination with other approved drugs. Relapsed or refractory Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in combination with other approved drugs. Carmustine for injection, USP is a nitrosourea indicated as palliative therapy as a single agent or in established combination therapy with other approved chemotherapeutic agents in the following: Brain tumors glioblastoma, brainstem glioma, medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymoma, and metastatic brain tumors (1) Multiple myeloma-in combination with prednisone (1) Relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma in combination with other approved drugs (1) Relapsed or refractory Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in combination with other approved drugs (1)
About this medicine
The active ingredient in carmustine for injection, USP is a nitrosourea with the chemical name 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and a molecular weight of 214.06. The drug product is supplied as sterile lyophilized pale yellow flakes or a congealed mass, and it is highly soluble in alcohol and lipids, and poorly soluble in water. Carmustine for injection, USP is administered by intravenous infusion after reconstitution, as recommended. The structural formula of carmustine is: Carmustine for injection, USP is available in 100-mg single-dose vials of lyophilized material. Sterile diluent for constitution of carmustine for injection, USP is co-packaged with the active drug product for use in constitution of the lyophile. The diluent is supplied in a vial containing 3 mL of Dehydrated Alcohol Injection, USP. Image
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of carmustine is not fully understood. While carmustine alkylates DNA and RNA, it is not cross-resistant with other alkylators. As with other nitrosoureas, it may also inhibit several key enzymatic processes by carbamoylation of amino acids in proteins. The metabolites may contribute to antitumor activity and toxicities of carmustine.
Who should not take it
Carmustine for injection, USP is contraindicated in patients with previous hypersensitivity to carmustine for injection, USP or its components. Hypersensitivity
Warnings and cautions
Administration Reactions: Extravasation may occur; monitor infusion site closely during administration (5.3) Carcinogenicity: Potentially carcinogenic to humans. Monitor patient periodically for such signs and apprise the patient of the symptoms for which they need to seek medical help. (5.4) Ocular Toxicity: Has occurred when administered via unapproved intraarterial intracarotid route. (5.5) Embryo-Fetal toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to avoid pregnancy. (5.6) 5.1 Myelosuppression Bone marrow toxicity is a dose-limiting, common and severe toxic effect of carmustine for injection, USP occurring 4-6 weeks after drug administration (thrombocytopenia occurs at about 4 weeks post-administration persisting for 1 to 2 weeks; leukopenia occurs at 5 to 6 weeks after a dose of carmustine for injection, USP persisting for 1 to 2 weeks; thrombocytopenia is generally more severe than leukopenia; anemia is less frequent and less severe compared to thrombocytopenia and/or leukopenia) Complete blood count should therefore be monitored weekly for at least six weeks after a dose. Repeat doses of carmustine for injection, USP should not be given more frequently than every six weeks. The bone marrow toxicity of carmustine for injection, USP is cumulative and therefore the dosage adjustment must be considered on the basis of nadir blood counts from prior dose [see Adverse Reactions (6) ]. Greater myelotoxicity (e.g., leukopenia and neutropenia) has been reported when carmustine was combined with cimetidine [see Drug Interactions (7) ]. 5.2 Pulmonary Toxicity Cases of fatal pulmonary toxicity with carmustine for injection, USP have been reported. Pulmonary toxicity characterized by pulmonary infiltrates and/or fibrosis has been reported to occur from 9 days to 43 months after treatment with carmustine for injection, USP and related nitrosoureas. Pulmonary toxicity from carmustine for injection, USP is dose-related. Patients receiving greater than 1400 mg/m 2 cumulative dose are at significantly higher risk than those receiving less. […]
Reported side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Pulmonary toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Administration Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Carcinogenicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Ocular Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of carmustine for injection, USP were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiac Disorders Tachycardia and chest pain. Eye Disorders Conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, blurred vision and loss of depth perception Gastrointestinal Toxicity Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea Hepatotoxicity Increased transaminase, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased bilirubin levels Infections and Infestations Opportunistic infection (including with fatal outcome). Neoplasms Benign, Malignant and Unspecified (including cysts and polyps) Acute leukemia, bone marrow dysplasias. Nephrotoxicity Progressive azotemia, decrease in kidney size, renal failure Nervous System Disorders Headaches, encephalopathy, and seizures Pulmonary Toxicity Pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease Reproductive System and Breast Disorders Gynecomastia Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Burning sensation, hyperpigmentation, swelling, pain, erythema, skin necrosis, alopecia, allergic reaction Vascular Disorders Veno-occlusive disease. Most common adverse reactions (>1%) are nausea, vomiting, renal toxicity, pneumonitis, pulmonary toxicity, myelosuppression ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Navinta LLC, Ewing NJ 08618 at +1-609-883-1135 or FDA at +1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Interactions with other medicines
Cimetidine: Increased myelosuppression with concomitant use. (7.1) Phenobarbital: Induces carmustine metabolism, reducing exposure. May lead to reduced efficacy. (7.1) Phenytoin: Carmustine for injection, USP may reduce the efficacy of phenytoin. (7.2) 7.1 Effects of other drugs on carmustine for injection, USP Cimetidine: Greater myelosuppression (e.g., leukopenia and neutropenia) has been reported when oral cimetidine has been coadministered with carmustine. Consider alternative drugs to cimetidine. Phenobarbital: Phenobarbital induces the metabolism of carmustine and may compromise antitumor activity of carmustine for injection, USP. Consider alternative drugs to phenobarbital. 7.2 Effects of carmustine for injection, USP on other drugs Phenytoin: Carmustine for injection, USP when coadministered with phenytoin may reduce phenytoin serum concentrations. Consider alternative drugs to phenytoin.
Use in specific groups
Lactation: Advise lactating females not to breastfeed (8.2) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Carmustine for injection, USP can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on the mechanism of action [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] and findings in animals [see Data] . Limited available data with carmustine for injection, USP use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage. Carmustine was embryotoxic in rats and rabbits and teratogenic in rats (thoracoabdominal closure, neural tube, and eye defects and malformations of the skeletal system of the fetus) when given in doses lower than the maximum cumulative human dose based on body surface area. Consider the benefits and risks of carmustine for injection, USP for the mother and possible risks to the fetus when prescribing carmustine for injection, USP to a pregnant woman. Adverse outcomes in pregnancy occur regardless of the health of the mother or the use of medications. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of carmustine to pregnant rats 14 days prior to mating and during the period of organogenesis at cumulative doses ≥ 26 mg/kg (158 mg/ m 2 ), approximately 0.1 times the maximum cumulative human dose of 1400 mg/m 2 , resulted in pre-implantation loss, increased resorptions (including completely resorbed litters), and reduced the number of live births in the presence of maternal toxicity. […]
If too much is taken
The main result of overdose is myeloablation. No proven antidotes have been established for carmustine for injection, USP overdosage.
Storing it safely
16.2 Storage and Handling Store product and diluent in a refrigerator (2°-8°C, 36°-46°F). Stability Store the unopened vial of the dry drug in a refrigerator (2°-8°C, 36°-46°F). Store the diluent vials in a refrigerator (2°-8°C, 36°-46°F). The recommended storage of unopened carmustine for injection, USP vials provides a stable product for up to 3 years. Compatibility/ Incompatibility with Containers The intravenous solution is unstable in polyvinyl chloride container. DO NOT USE PVC Containers . Administer carmustine for injection, USP solution from the glass bottles or polypropylene container only. Ensure the polypropylene containers used are PVC free and DEHP free. Important Note Carmustine for injection, USP has a low melting point (30.5°-32.0°C or 86.9°-89.6°F). Exposure of the drug to this temperature or above will cause the drug to liquefy and appear as an oil film on the vials. This is a sign of decomposition and vials should be discarded. If there is a question of adequate refrigeration upon receipt of this product, immediately inspect the vial in each individual carton. Hold the vial to a bright light for inspection. The carmustine for injection, USP will appear as a very small amount of dry flakes or dry congealed mass. If this is evident, the carmustine for injection, USP is suitable for use and should be refrigerated immediately.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 18 November 2025. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.