Fludarabine (injection)
Generic name:
Fludarabine (injection) [Floo
DAR-a-been
] Dosage forms (50 mg, 25 mg/mL)
antimetabolites
What is fludarabine?
Fludarabine can be used to treat B-cell
chronic leukemia
.
Fludarabine can be given when other treatments fail.
This medication guide does not list all possible uses of fludarabine.
Fludarabine side effects
If you experience
symptoms of an allergic response
(hives or difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat)
or a severe reaction to the skin
(fever or
sore neck
, burning or itching eyes, skin pain or blistering, or a red or purple rash with blistering or peeling), seek emergency medical attention.
Fludarabine can cause severe side effects on your nervous system in rare cases. If you experience numbness, tingling, or burning pain or have vision problems, seek medical attention immediately.
Fludarabine may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
-
agitation
;
-
Feeling short of breath, chest pain, dry cough,
-
Bloody or tarry stool, vomiting blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
-
Damage to red blood cells: confusion, weakness, pale skin or yellowing, dark urine
-
Low blood cell counts may cause fever, chills and fatigue.They may also include mouth sores or skin sores.
-
signs of tumor cell breakdown: tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, lower
back pain
, nausea,
vomiting
, diarrhea, blood in your urine, fast or
slow heart rate
, tingling in your hands and feet, or around your mouth.
Fludarabine side effects include:
-
Low blood cell count
-
Vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite are all symptoms that can be associated with diarrhea.
-
Feeling tired or weak
-
mouth sores;
-
Swelling in the hands or feet
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contacting the FDA in regards to adverse events can be done at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Imbruvica, Venclexta, Prednisone, Methotrexate, Dexamethasone, Triamcinolone, and
Decadron
Warnings
Fludarabine can cause severe side effects on your nervous system in rare cases. If you experience tingling or numbness, burning pain, or vision problems, seek medical attention immediately.
Fludarabine can also have serious side effects that affect your red blood cell count. If you are feeling weak, confused, or have pale, yellowed, or dark urine, call your doctor immediately.
Take this medication only if you have been prescribed it.
If you have an allergy to fludarabine, it is not recommended that you take the drug.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
-
Kidney disease
-
Have a poor immune system or bone marrow issues;
-
an
infection
;
Avoid pregnancy through use of effective contraception and notify your physician as soon as you become pregnant.
-
skin Cancer
-
A
virus
, such as
Herpes zoster
or
Shingles
.
Fludarabine can harm an unborn child.
Fludarabine should not be taken with breast milk.
What is the fludarabine dosage?
Fludarabine can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.
Fludarabine can be given as a 28-day cycle of treatment. The medicine may only be needed during the first five days of each treatment cycle. Your doctor will decide for how long you should be treated with fludarabine.
The infusion should take no more than 30 minutes.
If you get fludarabine in your nose, eyes, or mouth, it can cause serious harm. If you come into contact with the skin, rinse it thoroughly with water and soap.
Fludarabine increases your risk of bleeding and infection. You will be required to undergo frequent medical tests. The results of your tests may delay the cancer treatment.
Tell your caregivers that you're being treated with fludarabine if you need a
transfusion
.
Fludarabine dosing information
Adult dose for chronic lymphocytic leukemia:
Every 28 days, 25 mg/m2 intravenously over 30 minutes is given for 5 days. If the tumor response is maximal, three additional cycles may be recommended.
Comments:
The optimal treatment duration has not yet been established.
The dose can be reduced or delayed if there is a hematologic or nonhematologic toxic effect.
If neurotoxicity is observed, doctors should delay or stop the drug.
Use: To treat adult patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic (CLL) whose disease progressed or did not respond to at least one standard regimen containing alkylating agents. The safety and efficacy of this drug have not been proven in patients who were previously untreated or had nonrefractory CLL.
What happens if you miss a dose of the medication?
If you are unable to attend your fludarabine appointment, call your doctor.
What happens if you overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Overdose symptoms include flu-like symptoms such as fever, tingling, numbness, loss of vision, or consciousness.
What should I avoid when receiving fludarabine?
Avoid being around people who are sick. If you notice any signs of an infection, tell your doctor immediately.
Avoid contact with people who have recently received a vaccine that is "live". You could contract the virus. Live vaccines are available for measles (mumps), rubella (MMR), yellow fever (typhoid), varicella (shingles), rotavirus (typhoid), typhoid (rotavirus), rotavirus (typhoid), roentgen (rotavirus), zoster, and nasal flu vaccine (influenza).
What other drugs can affect fludarabine?
Fludarabine may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
vitamins,
and
herbal
products. Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking as well as those you intend to start or stop taking in order to remain safe and compliant with regulations.
