drug-information.ru

|Fludara

Fludara

Fludara is used for:

Treating patients with certain types of leukemia who have not responded to other therapy or whose disease has progressed during treatment with similar medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Fludara is an antimetabolite. It works by preventing the cancer cell from reproducing, which results in death of the cell.

Do NOT use Fludara if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Fludara

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Fludara :

Some medical conditions may interact with Fludara . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have any blood disorders, kidney problems, or chickenpox or other infections
• if you have been receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with this medicine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Pentostatin because the risk of lung toxicity resulting in death may be increased
• Digoxin because the effectiveness may be decreased when taken with Fludara

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fludara may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fludara :

Use Fludara as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Fludara is usually administered as an injection at your doctor"s office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Fludara at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• Avoid contact with skin and mucous membranes (eg, mouth, nose). If Fludara accidentally spills on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with plain tap water.
• If Fludara contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• If you miss a dose of Fludara , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fludara .

Important safety information:

• Fludara may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations in which bruising or injury may occur.
• Fludara may lower your body"s ability to fight infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Notify your doctor of any signs of infection, including fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• LAB TESTS, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Fludara is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Fludara has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Fludara during pregnancy. It is unknown if Fludara is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Fludara .

Possible side effects of Fludara :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; general body discomfort; loss of appetite; muscle pain; nausea; tiredness; vomiting; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation or confusion; changes in vision; chest pain; cough; difficulty urinating; fatigue; fever or chills; hearing loss; infection; irregular heartbeat; numbness or tingling in hands or feet; shortness of breath; sore throat; sores on the mouth or lips; swelling of the fingers, hands, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include bleeding; blindness; coma; infection.

Fludara is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Fludara at home, store Fludara as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Fludara out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Fludara , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Fludara is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fludara . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.