CHLORAMBUCIL

Brand & Generic Names

Leukeran

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antineoplastic, immunosuppressant

Uses

• Treatment for some kinds of cancer.
• Suppresses immune response after transplant and in immune disorders.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid after light meal. Don't drink fluids with meals. Drink extra fluids between meals. Avoid sweet or fatty foods.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Don't ever double dose.

What drug does:
Inhibits abnormal cell reproduction. May suppress immune system.

Time lapse before drug works:
Up to 6 weeks for full effect.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Bleeding, chills, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, ataxia, collapse, stupor, seizure.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Unusual bleeding or bruising, mouth sores with sore throat, chills and fever, black stools, mouth and lip sores, menstrual irregularities, back pain.
• Hair loss, joint pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, weakness.

Infrequent:

• Mental confusion, shortness of breath.
• Cough, rash, foot swelling.

Rare:

Jaundice, convulsions, hallucinations, muscle twitching.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have had hypersensitivity to alkylating antineoplastic drugs.
• Your physician has not explained serious nature of your medical problem and risks of taking this medicine.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have gout.
• If you have had kidney stones.
• If you have active infection.
• If you have impaired kidney or liver function.
• If you have taken other antineoplastic drugs or had radiation treatment in last 3 weeks.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Consult doctor. Risk to child is significant.

Breast-feeding:
Safety not established. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under care of medical supervisors who are experienced in anticancer drugs.

Prolonged use:

• Adverse reactions more likely the longer drug is required.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit).

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear. Some side effects may follow discontinuing. Report to doctor blurred vision, convulsions, confusion, persistent headache.

Others:

• May cause sterility.
• May increase chance of developing leukemia.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antigout drugs*	Decreased antigout effect.
Antineoplastic	Increased effect
drugs, other*	of all drugs (may be beneficial).
Chloramphenicol	Increased likelihood of toxic
	effects of both drugs.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on bone marrow.
Cyclosporine	May increase risk of infection.
Immunosuppressants*	Increased chance of infection.
Lovastatin	Increased heart and kidney damage.
Tiopronin	Increased risk of toxicity to bone
	marrow.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	May increase chance of intestinal
	bleeding.
Beverages:	No problems expected.
Cocaine:	Increases chance of toxicity.
Foods:	Reduces irritation in stomach.
Marijuana:	No problems expected.
Tobacco:	Increases lung toxicity.