Fludarabine
Description
Fludarabine is used for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia which is a cancer of the blood and the bone marrow. This medicine is often preferred if the patient has not responded or whose disease has progressed after the treatment with other cancer medications.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Fludarabine
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Blood in urine and stools
- Chest pain
- Black or tarry stools
- Constipation
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pain
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Weight gain
Uses of Fludarabine
What is it prescribed for?
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
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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. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to fludarabine or any other inactive ingredient present along with it.
Severe renal impairment
The intravenous form of this medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney impairment (CrCl<30 ml/min) due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Decompensated hemolytic anemia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with decompensated hemolytic anemia (a red blood cell disorder) due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking/receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Risk of infections
Use of this medicine may weaken the immune system and may make you more vulnerable to infections. It is advised that you avoid coming in contact with people suffering from an infection while receiving this medicine.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, etc. in some patients. Hence, it is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. 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 of the patient.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. 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 of the patient. The intravenous form of this medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney impairment (CrCl<30 ml/min).
Bonemarrow 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.
Missed Dose
Injection: Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss any scheduled session, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Tablet: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Injection: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
Tablet: 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
Etanercept
Azathioprine
Clozapine
Pentostatin
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Injection: This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Tablet: Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine prevents the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
Fludarabine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence [Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
Fludarabine Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 19 April 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Sanofi.in. 2019 [cited 19 April 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 19 Apr 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.