Fludarabine is used to treat B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (a type of cancer where the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells called lymphocyte).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Fludarabine injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition and your response to the medication.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Fludarabine.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- haemolytic anaemia (a type of anaemia where red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them)
- severe kidney disease
as Fludarabine may not be suitable for you.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- current or history of infection
- severe bone marrow disease
- liver disease
- moderate kidney disease
It is important that you do not get pregnant while using Fludarabine. Men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Fludarabine therapy and for 6 months after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. Do not receive any vaccinations without first asking your doctor.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, blood uric acid levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of infection may also be needed.
Fludarabine may cause tiredness, fits or seizures, weakness, or visual problems. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, loss of appetite, and rash.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- sudden memory loss, change in balance or coordination, weakness of the legs and arms
- severe itching of the skin with lumps, changes in colour or size of a mole
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- pentostatin (medicine for cancer)
- dipyridamole (blood-thinning medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Fludarabine.
Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during treatment with this medicine. Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Available products of Fludarabine may vary with its storage requirements. Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to properly store this medicine.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Fludarabine is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired medicine to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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