Lymphoma Information Network - Mustargen / Nitrogen Mustard

Lymphoma Information Network - Hodgkin's Disease and the Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas

Site Navigation		Chemotherapy - Mustargen

Mustargen (generic name mechlorethamine, MSD, mustine or nitrogen mustard) is a chemotherapy agent used in the treatment of Hodgkin's Lymphoma / Disease and some forms of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It usually comes in liquid form which is given by vein in multiple chemotherapy but for skin lymphomas it may be mixed into a topical cream. It is more often than not used in conjunction with other chemotherapy agents in a multidrug regimen. The drug acts as an alkylating agent. The development of this drug stems from the use of mustard compounds during World War I.

Before taking this medicine: Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Inform your medical doctor of any other medical conditions or allergies or if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Dosing: For IV, this drug is usually administered by IV in a medical facility. Exact dosage is determined by a doctor and is based on body size. For topical cream, consult with your doctors on administration.

While taking this medicine: Drink plenty of fluids.

Short Term Side Effects: This medicine makes you more susceptible to illness - stay away from people who are sick. It may also reduce the clotting ability of blood - avoid injury or bruising. Mustargen can cause nausea and vomiting. Your doctor may prescribe additional medications to help with this. The drug also may affect your appetite - monitor your intake of food. Occasionally dizziness is felt or a skin rash may develop. This drug may cause menstrual irregularities.

Common: this drug is very irritating to the veins. During IV administration tell your chemotherapy administrator if burning or pain develops - they may be able to slow down the infusion or dilute the drug. After the chemotherapy session, you may want to use warm wet compresses at the injection site.

Long Term IV Side Effects: Sterility - this drug has been known to cause infertility, more often in men than women. You may wish to discuss this with your doctor. There are methods to bank sperm, harvest ova, or most recently, reimplant an ovary which may be options.

Some of the regimens using mustargen:

MOPP (Hodgkin's Disease - the "M")
Stanford V (no letters are used)

Mustargen Reference Links:

Manufacturer Information (new)
Detailed information from Healthtouch (US) (link fixed)
Information on Alkalating Agents including Nitrogen Mustard from UNMC

Manufacturer

Formerly manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., in March 2006 it was learned that Ovation Pharmaceuticals bought the rights to the drug. It has been reported by patients and in the press that the price for the drug has risen sharply although this has not been independently confirmed.

OVATION Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Four Parkway North
Deerfield, IL 60015
Phone: 847.282.1000 Fax: 847.282.1001
Email: info@ovationpharma.com

Medical Information and Safety: (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm CST) TELEPHONE 1-800-455-1141 After hours: For urgent medical information questions, please contact 630-321-2552

Customer Service: (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm CST) telephone 1-888-514-5204

For information about OVATION’s Patient Assistance Program: (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm CST) telephone 1-800-455-1141

CST = United States Central Standard Time

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature. Please consult with a doctor or the literature provided with the drug packaging if you need specific information on a drug. The author is not responsible for missing or inaccurate information and the reader assumes full responsibility for their actions. As always, please consult with medical personnel before undertaking any medical treatment.

For more information on Hodgkin's Disease, please see the following pages: :

Childhood Hodgkin's Disease: Chemotherapy

Childhood Hodgkin's Disease: Treatment

Childhood Hodgkin's Disease: Introduction

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The Lymphoma Information Network

This page is a work in progress - if you have more complete information, references, or other information please contact the author. The author is not in the medical field and does not warrant the correctness of the material on this page or the sites linked - please take online information and consult with your own medical team to make informed decisions.

Chemotherapy - Mustargen