Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)
Generic and brand names: fludarabine, oral; Fludarabine Tablets
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia when other anticancer medicines are not effective. 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:
Also tell your provider if you have recently had any kind of infection.
This medicine may make men sterile (unable to have children). If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. Use an effective birth control method while you are taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping it. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers experienced with this drug should prescribe it.
You will take this medicine daily for 5 days, and then wait 28 days before taking it again. Your healthcare provider will determine how many cycles of this medicine you should take. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Take the medicine with a full glass of water and swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, break, or chew them.
Do not let the medicine touch your skin or get in your eyes or nose. If this happens, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes immediately with gently flowing water for at least 15 minutes. Contact your healthcare provider in case of a skin reaction or if the medicine gets in your eyes.
Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw this medicine in the trash.
If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider to find out when to take your next dose and what schedule to follow after that. Do not take double doses.
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: nausea, vomiting, fever, cough, trouble breathing, vision problems, unusual bruising or bleeding, weakness, coma.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests. This medicine may cause serious nervous system problems such as blindness or coma. It may also increase your risk for hemolytic anemia.
If you need emergency care, surgery or dental work, tell the healthcare provider you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth. Be careful while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or when using sharp objects.
Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin while receiving this medicine. It may increase the risk of bleeding. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider.
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.
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 way): Chills, fever, extreme tiredness or weakness, seizures, unusual confusion, mouth sores, cough, sore throat, trouble breathing, chest pain, fast heartbeat, vision problems, fainting, unusual bruising and bleeding, black or tarry stools, dark or bloody urine, problems urinating, tingling or pain in your arms, legs, feet, or hands.
Other: Nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; stomach pain; hair loss; cough; diarrhea; weakness; swelling in your legs or feet; rash.
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 and in the original container. 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.
