Leukeran

Generic name: Chlorambucil
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Usage of Leukeran

Leukeran is used to treat several types of cancer, including Hodgkin's disease and certain types of leukemia or lymphoma.

Leukeran may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Leukeran side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Leukeran may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a seizure;

an unusual mass or lump;

severe vomiting or diarrhea;

new or worsening cough;

bone marrow suppression--dizziness, pale lips or fingernail beds, fast heart rate, getting easily tired or short of breath;

liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects of Leukeran may include:

bone marrow suppression;

low blood cell counts;

missed menstrual periods;

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or

sores or white patches in or around your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Leukeran

You should not be treated with Leukeran if you are allergic to it, or if you have received this medicine in the past without successful treatment of your condition.

You may not be able to receive Leukeran if you've ever had an allergic reaction to another cancer drug such as Bendamustine, Busulfan, Carmustine, dacarbazine, ifosfamide, lomustine, mechlorethamine, melphalan, streptozocin, or temozolomide.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

liver disease;

a seizure;

a head injury or brain tumor; or

if you have received radiation or chemotherapy within the past 4 weeks.

Taking Leukeran may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk.

Do not use Leukeran if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using Leukeran.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, women should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because Leukeran can harm an unborn baby.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Leukeran

You must remain under the care of a doctor while you are using Leukeran.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Leukeran is usually taken for 3 to 6 weeks. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Leukeran can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Store Leukeran tablets in the refrigerator.

Warnings

Leukeran can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, chills, weakness).

What other drugs will affect Leukeran

Other drugs may affect Leukeran, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.