Cladribine (By injection)

KLAD-ri-been

Treats certain kinds of leukemia.

Drug classes

Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Cladribine belongs to the group of medicines called antimetabolites. It is used to treat hairy cell leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is also sometimes used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.

Cladribine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by cladribine, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with cladribine, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.

Cladribine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, cladribine is used in certain patients with the following conditions:

Cancer of the blood and lymph system

Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (a certain type of cancer of the blood)

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your dose and tell you how often it will be given.

Your medicine will be given through an IV into one your veins.

A nurse or other caregiver trained to give cancer drugs will give your treatment.

Missed dose: This medicine is usually given nonstop for 7 days. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or the clinic where you get your treatments for instructions.

If you receive your treatments at home:

Store your medicine in the refrigerator, in a place where children cannot get to it easily. Take the medicine out of the refrigerator about 1 hour before your treatment to let it warm to room temperature. You should be given a container for the used needles, medicine bag or bottles, and tubes. Store the container out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines and foods can affect how cladribine works. Do not receive a vaccine, such as a flu shot, while you are taking cladribine.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not be treated with this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to cladribine.

Warnings

This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Do not become pregnant or breastfeed while you are receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before treatment begins.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, kidney stones, gout, or any infections.

You may get infections more easily while you are receiving this medicine. Stay away from crowds or anyone who has a cold, the flu, or other infection.

Your doctor may prescribe medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting. Call your doctor if the medicine does not help.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blood in your urine or stools

Fever or chills

Pain, redness, or swelling at the IV site

Severe diarrhea

Severe mouth sores

Trouble breathing

Unusual bleeding or bruising

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Headache, tiredness

Loss of appetite, nausea

Mild rash

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Leustatin, Novaplus Cladribine

There may be other brand names for this medicine.