Brand names: Clolar™
Clofarabine injection
What is Clofarabine injection?
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
• bleeding problems or blood disorders• dental disease
• infection (especially virus infection such as chickenpox or cold sores)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to clofarabine, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should this medicine be used?
Clofarabine is for infusion into a vein, and usually infused over 2 hours. It is administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a specially trained health care professional. Clofarabine is typically given as a 5 day course that is repeated every 2—6 weeks.What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with Clofarabine?
• agents that treat or prevent blood clots• digoxin
• vaccines
Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
• acetaminophen
• aspirin
• blood pressure medications
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• ketoprofen
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking Clofarabine?
Clofarabine may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because clofarabine affects good cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.
Clofarabine decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Clofarabine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise, or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual. Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving clofarabine because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are taking or have taken clofarabine.
Clofarabine quickly kills leukemia cells which may result in a syndrome called 'tumor lysis syndrome'. If you experience symptoms such as fast breathing, fast heartbeat, dizziness, and difficulty breathing, notify your healthcare professional immediately.
Clofarabine can cause vomiting and diarrhea which may lead to dehydration. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting spells, or decreased urination. If you experience any of these symptoms, notify your healthcare professional immediately.
Unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional, avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®), or ketoprofen (Orudis® KT) products or products containing these agents, as these drugs may hide a fever or other signs of an infection.
Clofarabine can harm your unborn child if taken during pregnancy. Women who are able to have children should avoid becoming pregnant while taking clofarabine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are receiving or have recently received clofarabine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving Clofarabine?
The side effects you may experience with clofarabine therapy depend upon the dose, other types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy given, and the disease being treated. Not all of these effects occur in all patients. Discuss any concerns or questions with your prescriber or health care professional.Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• low blood counts - clofarabine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, nosebleeds
• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
• confusion, agitation
• dizziness, lightheadedness
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat
• mouth sores
• skin rash
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• diarrhea
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• sweating
• water retention
• weakness
Where can I keep my medicine?
This does not apply. You will only receive this medicine in a clinic or hospital setting.Last updated: 12/1/2004 9:34:00 PM
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
