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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about fludarabine?
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. Fludarabine use by either parent may cause birth defects.
Before you receive fludarabine, tell your doctor if you have 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.
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. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
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.
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 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).
To make sure you can safely take fludarabine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other 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. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Fludarabine use by either parent may cause birth defects.
It is not known whether fludarabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving fludarabine.