What is Gleostine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Gleostine overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Gleostine

Generic Names:

  • Gleostine

Uses:

  • Treats Hodgkin's disease, brain tumors, and other kinds of cancers, often in combination with other medicines. Also called CCNU. This medicine is an alkylating agent.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antineoplastic Agent

Forms:

  • Capsule

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Gleostine used for?

Gleostine is used to treat brain tumors, both primary and metastatic, following surgical radiotherapeutic procedures. It is also used in combination with other medications, to treat Hodgkin's disease. Gleostine works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.

What form(s) does Gleostine come in

  • Capsule

What are common Gleostine doses?

  • Capsule 10MG

  • Capsule 40MG

  • Capsule 100MG

Common Gleostine prescriptions

  • Gleostine
    100mg capsule

  • Gleostine
    10mg capsule

  • Gleostine
    40mg capsule

How to take Gleostine

  • Oral routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • You may have two or more different capsules that make up your dose. If so, you can take all of the capsules at once. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this before you take the medicine.

  • Take the medicine on an empty stomach. Your doctor may tell you to take the medicine at bedtime to keep you from having nausea.

  • After you take your dose, you will not take any more of the medicine for at least 6 weeks.

  • Wear gloves when touching the capsules. Do not break, crush, or open the capsules. If any of this medicine gets on your skin or in your nose or mouth, wash the area with soap and water right away. If the medicine gets in your eyes, wash them with water right away and call your doctor.

  • Oral routeYou may also receive medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting.

  • After you take your dose, you will not take any more of the medicine for at least 6 weeks.

  • Oral routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Take the medicine on an empty stomach. Your doctor may tell you to take the medicine at bedtime to keep you from having nausea.

  • Oral routeYou may also receive medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting.

  • You may have two or more different capsules that make up your dose. If so, you can take all of the capsules at once. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this before you take the medicine.

  • Wear gloves when touching the capsules. Do not break, crush, or open the capsules. If any of this medicine gets on your skin or in your nose or mouth, wash the area with soap and water right away. If the medicine gets in your eyes, wash them with water right away and call your doctor.

What to do if you miss a dose of Gleostine

  • Oral routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor for instructions.

  • Oral routeIf you vomit after taking your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Gleostine contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lomustine, or if you are pregnant.

Gleostine warnings

  • Oral routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, bone marrow problems (anemia, leukopenia), chicken pox, shingles, or any type of infection.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Oral routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.

  • Severe diarrhea.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble with breathing.

  • Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.

  • Swelling of feet or lower legs.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Gleostine interactions

  • This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, bone marrow problems (anemia, leukopenia), chicken pox, shingles, or any type of infection.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Oral routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Gleostine side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.

  • Confusion.

  • Dark-colored urine or pale stools.

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Swelling of feet or lower legs.

  • Severe diarrhea.

  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.

  • Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble with breathing.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Hair loss.

  • Blurred vision.

  • Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.

  • Loss of appetite.

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