Cladribine, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV to treat hairy cell leukemia.
• You may get infections or bleed more easily when you are taking this medicine.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause serious nerve or kidney problems, or other unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: cladribine, injection

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat hairy cell leukemia.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A blood disorder
• A weakened immune system from cancer treatment, diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or from taking steroid medicines or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Kidney or liver disease

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: 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. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

This medicine is usually given by IV infusion over several days at a clinic or hospital.

What should I watch out for?

This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers experienced with this drug should prescribe it. When you start treatment, your healthcare provider will monitor your condition for several months to determine your response to the medicine. If needed, your healthcare provider may prescribe another course of this treatment.

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Rarely, this medicine may cause serious nerve or kidney problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop weakness, numbness, or tingling in your hands, arms, feet or legs, or if you have blood in your urine, decreased or trouble urinating.

You may bleed or bruise more easily, or 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.

Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin while receiving this medicine. It may increase the risk of bleeding.

This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

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. Your healthcare provider will use blood tests during and after treatment to detect serious side effects. 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.): Fever; chills; sore throat; cough; mouth sores; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; black, tarry bowel movements; trouble urinating; decreased urination; blood in the urine; fast or irregular heartbeat; unexplained swelling; severe pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms or legs.

Other: Nausea, tiredness, decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, constipation, mild redness at the spot where the injection was given.

What products might interact with this medicine?

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:

• Live vaccines
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan), and piroxicam (Feldene)

Do not drink alcohol while receiving this medicine.

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.

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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.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.