What is clofarabine?
Clofarabine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Clofarabine is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a type of blood cancer) in children and young adults up to 21 years old.
Clofarabine is usually given after other cancer medicines have been tried without successful treatment.
Clofarabine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about clofarabine?
Do not use clofarabine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving clofarabine, whether you are a man or a woman. Clofarabine use by either parent may cause birth defects.
If you have liver or kidney disease, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive clofarabine.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood cells, kidney function, and liver function may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Clofarabine can lower the 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 are sick or have infections. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Clofarabine can harm your liver or kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use other medicines harmful to the liver or kidneys. During your 5-day treatment with clofarabine, you may need to avoid using certain medications, including some over-the-counter medicines. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as rapid breathing and heart rate, trouble breathing, painful swelling, numbness or tingling, feeling like you might pass out, lower back pain, blood in your urine, urinating less than usual, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving clofarabine?
If you have liver or kidney disease, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive clofarabine.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use clofarabine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving clofarabine, whether you are a man or a woman. Clofarabine use by either parent may cause birth defects.
It is not known whether clofarabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving clofarabine.