Busulphan Pharmacology

Busulphan

About Busulphan
Alkylating Agent , synthetic derivative of dimethane-sulfonate, Antineoplastic agent.
Mechanism of Action of Busulphan
Although its mechanism of action is not fully understood, Busulfan appears to act through the alkylation of DNA. In the body this drug is converted into carbonium ions. These ions alkylate DNA & it breaks. This inhibits the DNA replication and RNA transcription. Busulfan depress the bone marrow function, reduces granulocyte mass and improves the clinical state.

Pharmacokinets of Busulphan
Absorption-Absorbed well after oral and intravenous administration
Distribution - Widely distributed in the body.
Metabolism - Metabolized in the liver to its metabolites. Methane sulfonic acid is the main metabolite.
Excretion -Excreted via urine.
Onset of Action for Busulphan
1 to 2 week
Duration of Action for Busulphan
N/A
Half Life of Busulphan
2 to 3 hrs after oral administration.
Side Effects of Busulphan
1. Anorexia
2. Weight loss
3. Weakness
4. Hyper pigmentation
5. Amenorrha
6. Cataracts
7. Impaired fertility
8. Liver damage
9. Gynaecomastia
10. Bone marrow depression
11. Hyper pigmentation to the skin
12. Pulmonary fibrosis
13. Nausea
14. Mouth sores
15. Loss of appetite
16. Diarrhoea
17. Alopecia
18. addisons-like wasting syndrome.
Contra-indications of Busulphan
1. Hypersensitivity to the drug
2. Chronic lymphoytic leukemia
3. Acute leukemia
4."blastic" crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia
Special Precautions while taking Busulphan
Cautiously used in patients with
1. Prior treatment with other myelosupressive agents
2. Seizures
3. Previous irradiation/therapy.
4. Depressed neutrophil or platelet count
5. Head trauma
Monitor blood count closely. If there is any toxicity discontinue the treatment.
Anticonvulsant must be used concomitantly to protect CNS from toxicities

Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated.
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Busulphan
1. Chronic myelogenous leukemia
2. Myelofibrosis
3. Allogenic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation.
4. Polycythemia rubra Vera
5. Essential thrombocythaemia
6. Myeloid leukemia
7. Myelocytic leukemia
8. Granulocytic leukemia
Interactions for Busulphan
Immunisation with live viruses: Life threatening infection.
Theoguanine: Nodular regenerative hyperplasia leading to oesophageal varices and abnormal liver function tests.
Typical Dosage for Busulphan
Oral-
Adults-
4 to 8 mg/day for the induction of remission. 60mcg/kg for the maintenance therapy.
Children-0.06 to 0.12 mg/kg for the induction of remission
60mcg/kg for the maintenance therapy.
Intravenous-
Adults 0.8 mg/kg i.v. every 6 hrs for 4 consecutive days for a total of 16 doses.

Schedule of Busulphan
G
Storage Requirements for Busulphan
Stored in refrigerator.
Keep out of reach of children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Busulphan
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Busulphan
Give symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Home Delivery for Busulphan in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including busulphan.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for busulphan and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for busulphan may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take busulphan only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for busulphan before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for busulphan with the pharmacy.

Busulphan is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for busulphan might be better known than busulphan itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have busulphan in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for busulphan.