drug-information.ru

|Clofarabine

CLOFARABINE (Systemic)†

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Clolar

† Not commercially available in Canada.

Category

• Antineoplastic

Description

Clofarabine (kloe-FAR-a-been) belongs to the general group of medicines known as antineoplastics. It is used to treat some kinds of cancer.

Clofarabine seems to interfere with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells also may be affected by clofarabine, other effects also occur. Some of these effects may be serious and must be reported to your doctor.

Clofarabine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:

• Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For clofarabine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to clofarabine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Clofarabine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that clofarabine causes unwanted effects. Before taking this medicine make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—Because clofarabine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.

Older adults—Safety and efficacy of clofarabine in adult patients over 21 years of age and geriatric patients have not been established.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking clofarabine, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any other medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of clofarabine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Effects of clofarabine may be increased because of slower removal of this medicine from the body

Proper Use of This Medicine

This medicine may cause nausea and vomiting. However, it is very important that you continue to receive the medicine even if you begin to feel ill. Ask your health care professional for ways to lessen these effects.

Dosing—The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. The dose that is used may depend on a number of things, including, the patient"s size, and whether or not other medicines are also being taken. Your doctor will administer your dose

Precautions While Using This Medicine

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

While you are being treated with clofarabine, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor"s approval . Clofarabine may lower your body"s resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent. In addition, other persons living in your household should not take oral polio vaccine since there is a chance they could pass the polio virus on to you. Also, avoid persons who have recently taken oral polio vaccine. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you cannot take these precautions, you should consider wearing a protective face mask that covers the nose and mouth.

Clofarabine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.
• While you are receiving clofarabine, it is important that you drink extra fluids so that you will pass more urine.
• Tell your doctor if you are dizzy, lightheaded, or faint while receiving clofarabine.
• Tell your doctor it the amount of urine you produce is decreased.
• It is important that men and women of child bearing potential should use effective measures of contraception to prevent pregnancy while receiving clofarabine.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Developed: 05/11/2005

The information contained in the Thomson Healthcare (Micromedex) products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Healthcare products.