Busulfan

Busulfan is a chemotherapy medicine used before bone marrow transplant or high dose therapy with stem cell rescue to help treat certain types of cancer and metabolic conditions.This page explains what busulfan is, how it is given and some of the possible side effects. Each person reacts differently to medicines, so your child will not necessarily suffer from every side effect mentioned. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Busulfan is given as an infusion into a vein (intravenously or IV) through a central venous catheter, implantable port or PICC. It is usually given either twice a day or four times a day for four days.

Anti-sickness drugs can be given to reduce or prevent these symptoms, although this may not be allowed in some treatment protocols. Please tell your doctor or nurse if your child’s sickness is very bad or continues for more than a few days.

There will be a temporary reduction in how well your child’s bone marrow works. This means they may become anaemic (reduced red blood cells), bruise or bleed more easily than usual, and have a higher risk of infection.

Your child’s blood counts will be checked regularly to see how the bone marrow is working. Please tell your doctor if your child seems unusually tired, has bruising, bleeding, or any signs of infection, especially a high temperature.

Your child may get painful or bleeding gums, ulcers or a sore mouth. You will be given advice about appropriate mouth care including a copy of our leaflet. If your child complains of having a sore mouth, please tell your doctor or nurse.

If your child has a sore mouth, they will often have a sore tummy too. This can cause pain and bloating as well as diarrhoea. Please tell the doctor or nurse if your child has diarrhoea that is very bad or continues for more than a few days. It is important that your child drinks lots of fluids.

Your child may lose some or all of their hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes. This is temporary and the hair will grow back once the treatment has finished.

Busulfan may cause your child’s skin to develop a darker colour. This is usually temporary and should disappear once treatment has finished.

Busulfan can sometimes cause significant changes to how well your child’s liver works. This should return to normal when the treatment is finished.

Blood tests (LFTs) will be taken to monitor your child’s liver function and their weight and tummy measurement will be recorded.

If you notice the whites of your child’s eyes or their skin becoming yellow, please let your doctor or nurse know immediately.

Busulfan may cause changes to the lung function. If your child develops a cough, has difficulty breathing or chest pain, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately

There is a small risk that your child may have a fit or seizure during busulfan treatment. If your child is thought to be at risk, medicine will be given to help stop this from happening.

Depending on the combination of medicines and the dose that your child is given, their fertility may be affected. If you feel you would like more information, please discuss this with your doctor.

There is a very small risk of your child developing a second cancer after many years. If you would like more information, please discuss this with your doctor.

Some medicines can interact with busulfan, altering how well it works. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicine, including medicines on prescription from your family doctor (GP), medicines bought from a pharmacy (chemist) or any herbal or complementary medicines.

If these medicines leak into the tissues underneath your child’s skin, they can damage the tissue in this area. This is called extravasation.

• If given through a cannula and your child complains of stinging and burning around the cannula, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
• If given through a central venous catheter or implantable port and your child complains of pain around their chest or neck, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately.