What is Gliadel
CarmustineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryA cell-cycle phase nonspecific alkylating antineoplastic agent is a type of medication used to treat brain tumors and other forms of cancer. This drug has been identified as a possible carcinogen and should be used with caution.
Gliadelis the brand name
Gliadel Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Gliadel
Carmustine
1996
17
Effectiveness
How Gliadel Affects PatientsCarmustine is a medication used to treat brain tumors, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. It works by attaching itself to DNA and RNA, and can also interfere with certain proteins. It is not the same as other alkylators but has similar effects. Carmustine is usually taken as part of combination therapy with other chemotherapy drugs.
How Gliadel works in the bodyCarmustine stops cells from making new DNA and proteins, which kills them. It does this by forming links between the DNA and RNA of the cell, blocking their ability to make new material. Carmustine also interferes with a specific protein that helps protect the cell, leading to its death.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Gliadel is contingent upon the determined condition, such as Glioblastoma, Newly Diagnosed High Grade Glioma (HGG) and Medulloblastomas. The dosage fluctuates depending on the delivery approach featured in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Mycosis Fungoides (MF)
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Metastatic Brain Tumors
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Glioblastoma
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Glioblastoma
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Newly Diagnosed High Grade Glioma (HGG)
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Medulloblastomas
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Hodgkin Disease
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Refractory Multiple Myeloma
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Ependymomas
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Brain Stem Gliomas
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Astrocytomas
, 3.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 7.7 mg, 100.0 mg
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit, Kit, For solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution; Kit - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Intravenous, Wafer, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intracavitary, Powder, for solution, Wafer - Intralesional, Wafer - Intracavitary, For solution; Kit, Kit - Intravenous, Intralesional
Warnings
Gliadel ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Carmustine may interact with Toxoplasma Infections
Common Gliadel Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carmustine is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carmustine is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carmustine is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carmustine is combined with Acteoside.
Aldosterone
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Carmustine is combined with Aldosterone.
Gliadel Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe toxic dose of the drug in rats and mice is 20mg/kg and 45mg/kg. Common side effects include low white blood cell count, low platelet count, and nausea. Serious toxicity includes lung scarring (20-0%) and bone marrow damage.
Gliadel Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Gliadel?
166 active studies are exploring the efficacy of Gliadel in the management of Newly Diagnosed High Grade Glioma (HGG), Hodgkin Disease, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and other conditions.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Glioblastoma
76 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1
Astrocytomas
0 Actively Recruiting
Mycosis Fungoides (MF)
0 Actively Recruiting
Medulloblastomas
0 Actively Recruiting
Refractory Multiple Myeloma
16 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2
Newly Diagnosed High Grade Glioma (HGG)
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1
Hodgkin Disease
20 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Early Phase 1
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
0 Actively Recruiting
Glioblastoma
2 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1
Metastatic Brain Tumors
54 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Early Phase 1
Ependymomas
0 Actively Recruiting
Brain Stem Gliomas
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1
Gliadel Reviews: What are patients saying about Gliadel?
5Patient Review
10/14/2021 I was diagnosed with a Glioblastma brain tumor 24 years ago and given a gliadel wafer. Thanks to the treatment and my faith, I'm still alive today. My neurologist calls me a miracle!
3.7Patient Review
12/30/2010 My wife had a terminal illness and was only given 1-2 years to live. However, she went into remission and lived for an additional four years. I'm not sure if it was the wafers or a combination of the wafers with radiation, but we were able to spend more time together as a family that we otherwise would have missed out on.
3Patient Review
3/12/2013 My wife has gbm and had 8 wafers implanted 2 months ago. She is now having severe bouts of paranoia and delusion. Its hard to say for sure if they're caused by the wafers but she didn't have these symptoms after her tumor removal surgery, radiation and chemo in the three months prior.
Patient Q&A Section about gliadel
How long do Gliadel wafers last?
"The wafers release a chemotherapy drug called carmustine directly to the surrounding cells. This process usually takes around 2 to 3 weeks. As the wafers release the drug, they dissolve. This means there is no need to remove them." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
Is Gliadel FDA approved?
"In 1997, the FDA approved Gliadel wafers for the treatment of recurrent GBM. In 2003, they approved it for the treatment of newly diagnosed HGG (World Health Organization (WHO) grade III and grade IV glioma)." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
How much does Gliadel cost?
"The average cost for the Gliadel implant device 7.7 mg is $35,791 for a supply of 8 devices, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices may vary for cash paying customers and those with insurance plans." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
What is Gliadel used for?
"The Gliadel wafer contains the chemotherapy drug carmustine. It is inserted by a neurosurgeon during surgery to remove a brain tumor. This treatment is for a brain tumor called glioblastoma multiforme in adults." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer