Details

Chlorambucil belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medications known as antineoplastics, and specifically to the group of antineoplastics called alkylating agents. It prevents the growth of cancer cells by interfering with the genetic material DNA, which is necessary for reproduction of cells. Chlorambucil is used to treat cancers of the blood and lymph system, such as certain types of leukaemia (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukaemia) and certain types of lymphoma (e.g., non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and Hodgkin's disease). Do not take chlorambucil if you are allergic to chlorambucil or any ingredients of this medication have had a full course of radiation or chemotherapy within the previous 4 weeks or have not responded to the medication. To make sure chlorambucil is safe for you tell your doctor if you have kidney disease liver disease a history of seizures a history of head injury or brain tumour.

Typical Uses

Chlorambucil is used to treat certain types of cancer (e.g., leukaemia, lymphoma). Chlorambucil is a chemotherapy drug that works by slowing or stopping cell growth. This drug may also be used for certain blood diseases, certain types of kidney disease in children that have not responded to other treatment, and other conditions as determined by your doctor. Since chlorambucil can be absorbed through the skin, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle or break the tablets of this medication.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of chlorambucil include seizure (convulsions) an unusual mass or lump severe vomiting or diarrhoea new or worsening cough easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) low white blood cell counts-fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing or severe skin reaction-fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Chlorambucil+adalimumab- Using adalimumab together with chlorambucil may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Chlorambucil+BCG- If you are currently being treated or have recently been treated with chlorambucil, you should talk to your doctor before receiving BCG. Depending on the dose and length of time you have been on chlorambucil, you may be at risk for developing an infection from the vaccine or have a reduced response to the vaccine.

• Chlorambucil+certolizumab- Using chlorambucil together with certolizumab may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Chlorambucil+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as chlorambucil may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.

• Chlorambucil+etanercept- Using etanercept together with chlorambucil may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Chlorambucil+leflunomide- Using leflunomide together with chlorambucil may increase the risk of serious infections. Because leflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it. Talk to your doc

Mechanism of action

Chlorambucil belongs to a class of drugs called nitrogen mustard derivatives. It kills the cancer cells by interfering with DNA replication, and also by directly slowing or stopping their growth.

Pregnancy Category : D