Details

Fludarabine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Fludarabine is used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Fludarabine is usually given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful response to treatment. Fludarabine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. To make sure you can safely take fludarabine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease bone marrow problems or a weak immune system any active infection a history of skin cancer or a history of a viral infection such as herpes zoster (shingles), Epstein-Barr, or a virus affecting the central nervous system. Do not use fludarabine if you are pregnant. Fludarabine is usually given daily for 5 days in a row every 28 days.

Typical Uses

Fludarabine is used to treat leukaemia. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets.

Side Effects

Common side effects of fludarabine include signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, or unusual weakness pale or yellowed skin, dark coloured urine cough with yellow or green mucus, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath black, bloody, or tarry stools coughing up blood lower back pain, blood in your urine urinating less than usual or not at all numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting muscle weakness, tightness, or contraction, overactive reflexes drowsiness, mood changes, increased thirst, swelling, rapid weight gain vision problems, headache or pain behind your eyes, changes in behaviour, confusion, agitation, seizure (convulsions) or severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Drug Interactions

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

• Fludarabine+certolizumab- Using fludarabine 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.

• Fludarabine+clozapine- Using clozapine together with fludarabine is not recommended. Clozapine can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as fludarabine may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.

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

• Fludarabine+fingolimod- Using fingolimod together with fludarabine may increase the risk of serious infections. Because fingolimod 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 doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Fludarabine+leflunomide- Using leflunomide together with fludarabine may increase the risk of serious infections. Because leflunomide can stay in your blood

Mechanism of action

Fludarabine is an anticancer drug that belongs to class of medications called antimetabolites (purine analogue). It works by stopping the multiplication and growth of new cancer cells resulting in death of cancer cells.

Pregnancy Category : D