What is the most important information I should know about fludarabine?
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could
harm the unborn baby. Use effective
birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant
during treatment.
Before you receive fludarabine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, bone marrow
problems, or a history of a viral infection such as herpes zoster (shingles), Epstein-Barr, or a
virus affecting the central nervous system.
If you need to have a
blood transfusion, tell your caregivers ahead of time that you
are being treated with fludarabine.
Fludarabine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it
easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Avoid
being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Your blood will need to
be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Do not receive a "live"
vaccine while you are being treated with fludarabine, and
avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a
chance that the virus could be passed on to you.
Contact your doctor at once if you develop 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.
What is fludarabine?
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 leukemia (CLL).
Fludarabine is usually given after other cancer medications have been tried without
successful response to treatment.
Fludarabine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive fludarabine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to fludarabine, or if you are
also being treated with a cancer medicine called
pentostatin (
Nipent).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely
receive fludarabine. Tell your doctor if you have:
FDA pregnancy category D. Fludarabine can cause harm to an
unborn baby.
Do not receive fludarabine without telling your doctor if you
are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving fludarabine, whether you are a man or a woman. Fludarabine use by either parent may cause birth
defects. Tell your doctor if a pregnancy occurs during treatment with fludarabine.
It is not known whether fludarabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
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