FLUDARABINE (INJECTION)

(floo DAR a been) Brand: Fludara

What is the most significant information I must know about fludarabine?

• You must not receive fludarabine if you are also being treated with a cancer medication called pentostatin (Nipent).

• 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. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

What is fludarabine?

• Fludarabine is a cancer medicine 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 generally given after another cancer medications have been tried without successful response to treatment.

• Fludarabine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till I receive fludarabine?

• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to fludarabine, or if you are also being treated with a cancer medication called pentostatin (Nipent).

• To create certain you can safely take fludarabine, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:

· 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.

• FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use fludarabine 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. Hold using birth control for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Fludarabine use by either parent may reason birth defects.

• It is not known whether fludarabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. You must not breast-feed while you are receiving fludarabine.

How is fludarabine given?

• Fludarabine is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

• Fludarabine is generally given daily for 5 days in a row each 28 days. Once your body has responded well to the medicine, your doctor may recommend additional treatment cycles.

• Fludarabine can be deleterious if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water or rinse the eyes thoroughly with plain water.

• Fludarabine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. This can create it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being near others who are ill. Your blood may need to be tested often.

• If you need to have a blood transfusion, speak your caregivers onward of time that you are being treated with fludarabine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your fludarabine injection.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What must I avoid while receiving fludarabine?

• This medication can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal fluid). For at least 48 hours after you receive a doze, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or another surfaces. Patients and caregivers must wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands till and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens apart from another laundry.

• Body fluids must not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Use condoms during sexual activity to avoid exposure to body fluids.

• Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using 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. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

• Avoid being around people who are sick or have infections. Speak your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

What are the possible side effects of fludarabine?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Call your doctor at once if you have:

· signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, light bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, or unusual weakness;

· pale or yellowed skin, dark colored 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 smaller than normal or not at all;

· numbness or tingly feeling near your mouth, quick or slow heart course, weak pulse, fainting;

· muscle weakness, tightness, or contraction, overactive reflexes;

· drowsiness, mood changes, heighten thirst, swelling, rapid weight gain;

· vision problems, headache or pain behind your eyes, changes in behavior, confusion, agitation, seizure (convulsions); or

· severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

• General side effects may include:

· mild nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea;

· mild itching or skin rash;

· headache;

· muscle pain; or

· weary feeling.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect fludarabine?

• Another drugs may interact with fludarabine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Speak every of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medication you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about fludarabine.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

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