fludarabine
Other Name: Generic brand(s) available, Fludara®
mixed into larger bags of fluids.
Also available as tablets.
For treating certain types of lymphoma or leukemia
- Tell your doctor if you have/had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have or had kidney or liver problems, low red blood cell count, if you need a blood transfusion, have had viral infections such as hepatitis or shingles, or have any allergies.
- People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
- The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding
- If there is any chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:
- ► Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose unless your health care team told you differently. Talk to your health care team to figure out the best method(s) for you and/or your partner.
- Do not breastfeed while using this drug.
- Effects on Fertility: Likely
- Effects on Fertility: Likely
Injection:
- This medication is given by injection into a vein.
Tablets:
- Take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Make sure you understand the instructions.
- If your blood counts are low, your doctor or nurse may tell you to take fewer tablets (a lower dose) until your blood cells return to normal. Do not take it more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
- Do not remove fludarabine tablets from the blister pack until they are ready for use.
- Swallow whole with a glass of water with or without food.
- Do not crush or chew.
- If you miss a dose, speak to your health care team as soon as possible. Do not take a double dose.
This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
For mild aches and pain:
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding.
- Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any of these medications. They may hide a fever.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
For tablets:
- Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
Common side effects usually occur in more than 1 out of every 10 patients. Other side effects are less common, but may be severe. You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Unusual bleeding or bruising You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop. Fever, chills, infection (including reactivating infections, for example shingles, hepatitis)
You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:
| Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
Anemia (low red blood cells)
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low appetite
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Cough; feeling short of breath You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose. | Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Diarrhea May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment. If you have diarrhea :
See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. | Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness To help prevent swelling :
If you have swelling in your legs, keep your feet up when sitting. | Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Fatigue (tiredness)
See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. | Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mouth sores You may have round, painful, white or gray sores inside your mouth. They can occur on the tongue, lips, gums, or inside your cheeks. In more severe cases they may make it hard swallow, eat or to brush your teeth. They usually last 1 to 2 weeks. To help prevent mouth sores:
If you have mouth sores:
See the Mouth Care pamphlet for more information. | Contact your health care team as soon as possible (office hours) | ||||
Nausea and vomiting (generally mild) May occur in hours to days after your treatment. If you have nausea or vomiting:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. | Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Tingling, numb fingers and toes
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Abnormal levels of pancreas tests (lipase, amylase) Your doctor may monitor these regularly. | Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||||
Abnormal liver lab tests
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||||
Heart problems You may have an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting spells or swelling in your legs, ankles and belly. | Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
Effects on your brain You may have a severe headache, pass out (faint), or have seizures, confusion or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there). | Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
Rapid breakdown of red blood cells Your skin and eyes may look yellow and your pee can become red-brown. | Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
Irritation of the bladder wall You may have blood in your pee, feel the need to pee urgently, have pain in your belly/lower belly area or pain when peeing. | Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
Eye problems
| Contact your health care team as soon as possible (office hours) | ||||||
Lung problems You may have a cough, breathing problems, chest pain or cough up blood. | Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
Rash; dry, itchy skin Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away. | Contact your health care team as soon as possible (office hours) | ||||||
Kidney problems
| Get emergency medical help right away | ||||||
Rapid killing of cancer cells when you start treatment
| Get emergency medical help right away |
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/symptom-management.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.