Nelarabine Injection

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What is Nelarabine Injection?

NELARABINE (Arranon®) is a type of chemotherapy for treating cancer. Nelarabine is used in treating cancers of the blood, like T-cell leukemia or lymphoma. Generic nelarabine injections are not available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• nervous system problems
• kidney disease or decreased kidney function
• previous intrathecal chemotherapy
• previous intracranial radiation therapy
• an unusual reaction to Nelarabine, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Nelarabine is administered as an infusion into the vein. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health care professional.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with Nelarabine?

• live virus vaccines

Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
• acetaminophen
• aspirin
• 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 Nelarabine?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects of nelarabine can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.

Nelarabine may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because nelarabine 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.

Nelarabine 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. Nelarabine 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 nelarabine 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 nelarabine.

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.

You may get drowsy or dizzy while receiving nelarabine. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how nelarabine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly, this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. These effects may be worse if you are an older patient.

Notify your healthcare provider if you notice any new or worsening signs of toxic effects to the nerves. These signs and symptoms include tingling or numbness in fingers, hands, feet, or toes; difficulty with fine motor coordination like buttoning clothing; unsteadiness while walking; weakness when climbing stairs; increased tripping or stumbling when walking. Seizures have been known to occur in patients who receive nelarabine. If a seizure occurs, notify your health care provider promptly.

Nelarabine can harm your unborn child if taken during pregnancy. Women who are able to have children should avoid becoming pregnant while taking nelarabine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Nelarabine?

The side effects you may experience with nelarabine 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 - nelarabine 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
• extreme sleepiness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet or toes
• problems with fine motor skills like buttoning clothes
• seizures (convulsions)
• unsteady gait or increased tripping while walking
• weakness when getting out of a chair or walking up stairs

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• blurred vision
• constipation
• diarrhea
• headache
• mouth sores
• muscle pain
• nausea
• sleepiness
• vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. You will only receive this medicine in a clinic or hospital setting.

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.