Busulfan Tablets

Category: Alkylating agent (chemotherapy drug)
Form: Oral tablets

Uses:

• Traditionally used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), especially before the advent of targeted therapies.

• Still used in some conditioning regimens prior to bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, often in combination with other agents.

Mechanism of Action:

• Busulfan is a cell cycle–nonspecific alkylating agent.

• It causes cross-linking of DNA strands, interfering with DNA replication and transcription.

• This leads to apoptosis (cell death) of rapidly dividing malignant cells, particularly in bone marrow.

Administration:

• Given orally, with dosage adjusted according to patient weight, blood counts, and treatment purpose.

• Treatment cycles may vary (short-term high dose vs. long-term low dose).

Side Effects:

• Hematologic: bone marrow suppression (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia).

• Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite.

• Other common: skin darkening, fatigue, mouth sores.

• Serious: pulmonary fibrosis (“busulfan lung”), seizures (especially at high doses), hepatic veno-occlusive disease, infertility.

Precautions:

• Requires regular blood count monitoring to adjust dose and prevent severe myelosuppression.

• Prophylactic anticonvulsants may be given during high-dose therapy to prevent seizures.

• Careful monitoring of liver and lung function is essential.

• Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to teratogenic and toxic effects.

Summary:
Busulfan Tablets are an alkylating chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and as part of conditioning therapy before bone marrow transplantation. It works by cross-linking DNA to stop cancer cell growth. While effective, it can cause bone marrow suppression, lung toxicity, seizures, and liver complications, requiring close monitoring throughout treatment.