Pronunciation: KLAD-ri-been
Generic Name: Cladribine
Brand Name: Leustatin
Cladribine may decrease bone marrow function and decrease your ability to fight infection. At high doses, Cladribine may cause serious nervous system problems (eg, paralysis) and kidney problems. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection, kidney problems, or nervous system problems, such as change in amount of urine; persistent sore throat or fever; or tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
Cladribine is used for:
Treating hairy cell leukemia.
Cladribine is a cytotoxic agent. It works by stopping the replication and repair of the tumor cells.
Do NOT use Cladribine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Cladribine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if this applies to you.
Before using Cladribine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Cladribine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have bone marrow problems, or liver or kidney problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cladribine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Medicines that may weaken your immune system (eg, cyclosporine) because the risk of side effects may be increased. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your other medicines may weaken your immune system
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cladribine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Cladribine:
Use Cladribine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Cladribine is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Cladribine must be properly diluted prior to use. If you will be using Cladribine at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Cladribine. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Do not use Cladribine if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- If Cladribine accidentally spills on your skin, wash it off right away with soap and water. Clean any areas (counters, tables) where Cladribine may have spilled or sprayed.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- If you miss a dose of Cladribine, contact your doctor immediately.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cladribine.
Important safety information:
- Cladribine may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cladribine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Cladribine may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Cladribine may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine while you are taking Cladribine.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Cladribine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Cladribine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Cladribine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Cladribine has benzyl alcohol in it. Do not use it in NEWBORNS or INFANTS. It may cause serious and sometimes fatal nervous system problems and other side effects.
- Cladribine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Cladribine may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cladribine while you are pregnant. It is not known if Cladribine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cladribine.
Possible side effects of Cladribine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; decreased appetite; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; mild tiredness or weakness; muscle or joint pain; nausea; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back or side pain; black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; chest pain or tightness; cough; fever, chills, or sore throat; irregular heartbeat; irritation or pain at the injection site; numbness, tingling, or burning of the hands or feet; painful or difficult urination; persistent loss of appetite, unusual feeling of fullness, or unusual weight loss; severe or persistent vomiting; severe tiredness or weakness; shortness of breath; swelling (eg, of the hands or feet); unusual bleeding or bruising; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Cladribine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include change in amount of urine; paralysis (with high doses); tingling or numbness in the arms or legs.
Proper storage of Cladribine:
Cladribine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Cladribine at home, store Cladribine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Cladribine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Cladribine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cladribine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Cladribine resources
- Cladribine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Cladribine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Cladribine Drug Interactions
- Cladribine Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Cladribine - Add your own review/rating
- Cladribine Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Cladribine Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Cladribine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- cladribine Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- cladribine Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Leustatin Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare Cladribine with other medications
- Hairy Cell Leukemia
- Multiple Sclerosis
No comments:
Post a Comment