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Gliadel Wafer

(other types of Gliadel Wafer)

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Information on Gliadel Wafer

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Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .

Wafers
Chemical Name: CARMUSTINE (kar-MUS-teen) and POLIFEPROSAN (poh-LIF-eh-pro-sin)

Common uses
This medicine is an antineoplastic used during surgery (craniotomy), to treat certain types of brain cancers (e.g., malignant glioma).

Before using
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking other cancer chemotherapy medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g. phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), and muscle relaxants. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including radiation therapy, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions
After the tumor is surgically removed from the brain, this medicine is implanted (by the surgeon) into the cavity left by the tumor. The number of wafers implanted depends on your medical condition. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS for proper use and handling. Consult your pharmacist. STORE IN A FREEZER at or below -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Unopened foil pouches may be kept at room temperature for 6 hours. Consult your pharmacist for details.

Cautions
THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR DROWSINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are being treated with this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes cough-and-cold products that may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS DRUG IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using this medicine include headache, drowsinsess, or nausea. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience swelling or infection of the surgical site, fever, urinary tract infection, muscle weakness, pain, mental/mood changes, fainting, trouble sleeping, or memory trouble or loss of memory. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience trouble speaking, seizures, stiff neck, vision changes, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe stomach pain, or chest pain. AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THIS MEDICINE is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions

If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Additional information
KEEP THIS PRODUCT out of the reach of children and pets.

Selected data included with permission and copyrighted by Medi-Span, 2009. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a Licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings.