Which of the following is a known adverse effect of Carmustine?

Which of the following is a known adverse effect of Carmustine?

• A. Anemia
• B. Nausea
• C. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and renal toxicity
• D. Alopecia

Answer: (C)

Carmustine has a toxicity profile dominated by bone marrow suppression and organ-specific toxicities. The drug can markedly reduce white blood cells and platelets, causing leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, which reflect its myelosuppressive effect. It can also cause renal dysfunction, making renal toxicity a recognized risk with this agent. While nausea and alopecia can occur with many chemotherapy drugs, and anemia is part of bone marrow suppression, the combination of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and renal toxicity best represents Carmustine’s well-established adverse effects. (Note: pulmonary toxicity is another serious risk with nitrosoureas, though it’s not listed here.)

Carmustine has a toxicity profile dominated by bone marrow suppression and organ-specific toxicities. The drug can markedly reduce white blood cells and platelets, causing leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, which reflect its myelosuppressive effect. It can also cause renal dysfunction, making renal toxicity a recognized risk with this agent. While nausea and alopecia can occur with many chemotherapy drugs, and anemia is part of bone marrow suppression, the combination of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and renal toxicity best represents Carmustine’s well-established adverse effects. (Note: pulmonary toxicity is another serious risk with nitrosoureas, though it’s not listed here.)