clofarabine

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Pronunciation: kloe FAR a been

Brand: Clolar

What is the most important information I should know about clofarabine?

This medicine can cause life-threatening side effects including: serious infection, severe skin rash, internal bleeding, and liver or kidney damage.

Call your doctor right away if you have: fever, chills, unusual bleeding or bruising, urination problems, stomach pain or swelling, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, coughing up blood, sudden numbness or severe headache, problems with vision or balance, or sudden swelling in your arms, legs and other parts of the body.

What is clofarabine?

Clofarabine is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Clofarabine is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a type of blood cancer) in children and young adults up to 21 years old.

Clofarabine is usually given after other cancer medicines have been tried without successful treatment.

Clofarabine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving clofarabine?

To make sure clofarabine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • any type of infection;
  • liver disease; or
  • kidney disease.

Using clofarabine during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using this medicine.

Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving clofarabine, whether you are a man or a woman. Clofarabine use by either parent may cause birth defects.

It is not known whether clofarabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving clofarabine.

How is clofarabine given?

Clofarabine is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Clofarabine is usually given daily for 5 days in a row during one or more 1-month treatment cycles. Your doctor will determine how many treatment cycles you will receive and how often.

You may receive other medications to help prevent certain side effects of clofarabine.

Clofarabine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your clofarabine injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Since clofarabine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving clofarabine?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

What are the possible side effects of clofarabine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

A rare but serious side effect of clofarabine is called capillary leak syndrome. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of this condition, which may include: stuffy or runny nose followed by weakness or tired feeling, and sudden swelling in your arms, legs and other parts of the body.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • pain, redness, numbness, and peeling skin on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;
  • signs of infection --fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms, unusual weakness, mouth and throat ulcers, swollen gums, pain when swallowing, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), skin sores, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting;
  • signs of bleeding inside the body --sudden severe headache, chest pain, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, rectal bleeding, bloody or tarry stools, sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), problems with vision or speech;
  • signs of a liver problem --upper stomach pain, sudden swelling in your mid-section, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • kidney problems --little or no urination, red or pink urine, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
  • severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling; or
  • signs of tumor cell breakdown --lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urinating; numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth; muscle weakness or tightness; fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, feeling short of breath; confusion.

Common side effects may include:

  • fever, chills, flu symptoms, or other signs of infection;
  • stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea;
  • fast heartbeats;
  • nosebleeds, bruising;
  • pain in your arms or legs;
  • headache, feeling tired or anxious;
  • mild itching or skin rash; or
  • flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect clofarabine?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with clofarabine, especially blood pressure medication.

Clofarabine can harm your liver or kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use other medicines harmful to the liver or kidneys. During your 5-day treatment with clofarabine, you may need to avoid using certain medications. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the liver or kidneys, such as:

  • leflunomide, methotrexate, teriflunomide;
  • an antibiotic, antifungal medicine, antiviral medicine, sulfa drug, or tuberculosis medicine;
  • birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
  • gout or arthritis medications (including gold injections);
  • HIV/AIDS medications;
  • injectable osteoporosis medicine;
  • medication to prevent organ transplant rejection;
  • medicines to treat a bowel disorder;
  • medicines to treat mental illness;
  • other cancer medications;
  • cholesterol-lowering medications --Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Simcor, Vytorin, Zocor, and others;
  • pain or arthritis medicines --acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
  • seizure medication --carbamazepine, phenytoin, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with clofarabine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about clofarabine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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