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Generic Name: fludarabine (flu DAH rah been)
Brand Names: Fludara

What is fludarabine?

Fludarabine is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Fludarabine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Fludarabine is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a type of blood cancer.

Fludarabine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about fludarabine?

Fludarabine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of fludarabine including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with fludarabine.

Who should not take fludarabine?

Before taking fludarabine, tell your doctor if you have

• had recent vaccinations;

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;

• bone marrow problems; or

• a history of lung or breathing problems.

You may not be able to take fludarabine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

How should I use fludarabine?

Fludarabine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with fludarabine depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with fludarabine to monitor progress and side effects.

Skin accidentally exposed to fludarabine should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Your healthcare provider will store fludarabine as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing fludarabine, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of fludarabine.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a fludarabine overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while taking fludarabine?

Fludarabine can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with fludarabine. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

Skin accidentally exposed to fludarabine injection should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Fludarabine side effects

• an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

• decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; unusual bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, sore throat, or signs of infection);

• chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or a dry cough;

• blood in the urine; or

• side (flank) pain.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain;

• loss of appetite;

• rash, itching or hives;

• tiredness;

• muscle pain; or

• weakness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect fludarabine?

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with fludarabine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with fludarabine.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about fludarabine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Fludarabine is available with a prescription under the brand name Fludara. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.