Fludara (Fludarabine) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. The abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. Many cancers and the abnormal cells that compose the cancer tissue are further identified by the name of the tissue that the abnormal cells originated from (for example, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer). Cancer is not confined to humans; animals and other living organisms can get cancer. Below is a schematic that shows normal cell division and how when a cell is damaged or altered without repair to its system, the cell usually dies. Also shown is what can occur when such damaged or unrepaired cells do not die and become cancer cells and proliferate with uncontrolled growth; a mass of cancer cells develop. Frequently, cancer cells can break away from this original mass of cells, travel through the blood and lymph systems, and lodge in other organs where they can again repeat the ...

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Fludara

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Fludara Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive fludarabine (Fludara)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to fludarabine, or if you are also being treated with a cancer medicine called pentostatin (Nipent).

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive fludarabine:

kidney disease;
bone marrow problems or a weak immune system;
any active infection;
a history of skin cancer; or
a history of a viral infection such as herpes zoster (shingles), Epstein-Barr, or a virus affecting the central nervous system.

FDA pregnancy category D. Fludarabine can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive fludarabine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving fludarabine, whether you are a man or a woman. Fludarabine use by either parent may cause birth defects. Tell your doctor if a pregnancy occurs during treatment with fludarabine.

It is not known whether fludarabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is fludarabine given (Fludara)?

Fludarabine is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take about 30 minutes to complete.

Fludarabine is usually given daily for 5 days in a row every 28 days. Once your body has responded well to the medication, your doctor may recommend additional treatment cycles.

Fludarabine can be harmful if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water or rinse the eyes thoroughly with plain water.

Fludarabine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

If you need to have a blood transfusion, tell your caregivers ahead of time that you are being treated with fludarabine.

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