Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)
Generic and brand names: chlorambucil, oral; Leukeran
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat certain types of leukemia, certain cancerous tumors, lymphomas, and Hodgkin's disease. It does not cure these diseases but can reduce their effects on your body.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children) whether you are a man or a woman. If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.
Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine during pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not become pregnant while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need birth control. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Alcohol, acidic, spicy, or hot foods may increase stomach irritation from the medicine. Ask your healthcare provider about your diet and how much water you should drink while taking this medicine. You need to drink at least 8 full glasses of liquid a day.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: loss of balance, vomiting, coma, seizures.
Your healthcare provider will want to examine you regularly to monitor your progress. You need frequent blood tests to avoid serious side effects and to find out if you need a change in dosage. Keep all your appointments and follow dosage instructions exactly. If you have any questions about this medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may increase the risk of certain cancers. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual bruising or bleeding, fever, yellowish skin or eyes, persistent cough, delayed or no menstruation, severe nausea, vomiting, seizures, unusual lumps or swelling, dark urine, light-colored bowel movements, numbness in your hands or feet, muscle twitching, vision loss, mouth sores.
Other: Diarrhea, mild nausea, weakness or shakiness.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
