Chlorambucil – Oral, Leukeran

WARNING: Chlorambucil treatment can be associated with serious side effects. Although chlorambucil is used to treat cancer, it may increase your risk of developing another form of cancer. Consult your doctor for more details. This medication can also decrease your bone marrow function, lowering your body’s ability to fight an infection. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop unusual growths or lumps, swollen glands, signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat or cough), unusual or easy bruising/bleeding, or unusual fatigue. Chlorambucil may damage chromosomes (genes) and cause birth defects. It may also possibly leave men and women unable to have children in the future (sterility). Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor.

USES: This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma). Chlorambucil is a chemotherapy drug that works by slowing or stopping cell growth.OTHER This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.This drug may also be used for certain blood diseases, certain types of kidney disease in children that have not responded to other treatment, and other conditions as determined by your doctor.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor. Unless your doctor directs you otherwise, drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. This will help prevent side effects.The dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often without your doctor’s approval. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle or break the tablets of this medication.

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warnings section.Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, and loss of appetite may occur. Changes in diet such as eating several small meals or limiting physical activity may help lessen the chance of nausea. In some cases, drug therapy may be necessary to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mouth sores, shaking/tremors, muscle problems (e.g., twitching, stiffness, weakness), unsteadiness, joint pain, lower back pain/side pain, frequent/painful urination, numbness/tingling of the hands or feet, swelling of the legs/feet, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, hallucinations), stopping of menstrual periods.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: seizures, trouble breathing, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin/eyes, dark urine, inability to move arms/legs.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking chlorambucil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other chemotherapy drugs (e.g., busulfan, cyclophosphamide); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: seizures, head injury, gout, kidney stones, blood disorders (e.g., anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia), liver problems.Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine.Use caution with sharp objects like razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the chance of getting cut, bruised or injured.Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections.Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially possible infertility later in life. Children treated for a certain kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome) may be more at risk for seizures.This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may cause harm to an unborn baby. Women of childbearing age and men should use reliable form(s) of birth control during treatment with this drug. Consult your doctor for more details.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: nalidixic acid.If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting chlorambucil.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) when combined with chlorambucil such as isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include seizures.

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NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood counts, uric acid levels) should be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. It is important that you keep all medical appointments. MISSED DOSE: It is important you receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store in a refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada). Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.