Chlorambucil
Description
Chlorambucil is an anti-cancer medicine which is used in the treatment of various cancers of the blood. Close monitoring of kidney function and blood cell count are necessary while receiving this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Chlorambucil
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Fever and chills
- Shortness of breath
- Skin Rash
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Black or tarry stools
Uses of Chlorambucil
What is it prescribed for?
- Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
- Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who have had demonstrated prior resistance to chlorambucil, or patients with a known allergy to chlorambucil, or any other inactive ingredients present along with this medicine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Infections
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of severe and potentially life-threatening infections. Report any unusual symptoms such as a fever, diarrhea, sore throat, pain or burning during urination, etc. to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.
Seizures
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with seizures or a history of seizures since it may worsen the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Internal bleeding or hemorrhage
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of internal bleeding or hemorrhages. Any symptoms such as unusual bleeding or bruising, black or tarry stools, vomiting up blood, etc. should be reported to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having conditions like thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, anemia, or bone marrow suppression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. A complete blood count should be performed before initiating treatment with this medicine. Close monitoring of blood counts is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Effects on fertility
This medicine may affect the ovarian function and also may cause the absence of monthly menstrual periods in women on therapy. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. If you miss a scheduled dose of this medicine, call your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Adalimumab
Azathioprine
Clozapine
Topotecan
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine interferes with DNA synthesis and blocks the growth of cancer cells.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Alkylating agents
Schedule
Schedule G
TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence [Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 11 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 11 September 2018]. Available from:
Chlorambucil - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 11 September 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 21 May 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.