fludarabine

Brand name(s):

Fludara

What is the most important information I should know about fludarabine?

Fludarabine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of fludarabine including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with fludarabine.

What is fludarabine?

Fludarabine is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Fludarabine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Fludarabine is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a type of blood cancer.

Fludarabine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take fludarabine?

Before taking fludarabine, tell your doctor if you have

had recent vaccinations;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
bone marrow problems; or
a history of lung or breathing problems.

You may not be able to take fludarabine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Fludarabine is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that fludarabine is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby.Do not take fludarabine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether fludarabine passes into breast milk. Do not take fludarabine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I use fludarabine?

Fludarabine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with fludarabine depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with fludarabine to monitor progress and side effects.

Skin accidentally exposed to fludarabine should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Your healthcare provider will store fludarabine as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing fludarabine, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of fludarabine.

What happens if I overdose?

If for any reason an overdose of fludarabine is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a fludarabine overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while taking fludarabine?

Fludarabine can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with fludarabine. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

Skin accidentally exposed to fludarabine injection should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

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