| Fludarabine | 140.000000000000 | Fludarabine | Fludarabine | F | English | Pharmacy | NA | NA | NA | Drugs and Supplements | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2015-04-15T04:00:00Z | | Amelia Rodrigues, BScPhm, ACPR, RPh | | | | 7.90000000000000 | 61.7000000000000 | 1076.00000000000 | | Drugs (A-Z) | Drug A-Z | <p class="akh-article-overview">Your child needs to take the medicine called fludarabine. This information sheet explains what fludarabine does, how it is given, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine.</p> | <p>Your child needs to take the medicine called fludarabine (say: floo-DARE-a-been). This information sheet explains what fludarabine does, how it is given, and what side effects or problems your child may have when they take this medicine. </p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>What is fludarabine?</h2>
<p>Fludarabine is used to kill cancer cells. It stops the cancer cells from dividing and making new cells. It can also be used to prepare the body for a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. You may hear fludarabine called by its brand name, Fludara. </p> | <h2>Before giving fludarabine to your child</h2>
<p>Tell your doctor if your child has ever reacted badly to fludarabine, or an ingredient in the formulation, or to any other medications, foods, preservatives, or colouring agents. </p>
<h3>Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has: </h3>
<ul><li>infection or recent exposure to infection, for example chickenpox </li>
<li>problems with the kidneys </li>
<li>a blood disorder called hemolytic anemia </li></ul> | <h2>How should you give your child fludarabine?</h2>
<p>Fludarabine is a clear liquid given by needle into your child's vein (intravenously or IV). Usually your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or on a nursing unit. </p> | | | <h2>What are the possible side effects of fludarabine?</h2>
<p>Your child may have some of these side effects while they take fludarabine. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away, or they bother your child: </p>
<ul><li>nausea (upset stomach) and vomiting (throwing up) </li>
<li>mild diarrhea (loose, watery stools) </li>
<li>loss of appetite </li>
<li>feeling tired or weak </li>
<li>mild headache </li>
<li>muscle aches </li></ul>
<p>Call your child's doctor during office hours if child has any of these side effects:</p>
<ul><li>fever or chills </li>
<li>rash </li>
<li>mouth sores </li>
<li>tingling in the fingers or toes </li>
<li>unusual tiredness or weakness </li></ul>
<h3>Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects: </h3>
<ul><li>fever or chills </li>
<li>cough or sore throat </li>
<li>severe diarrhea (loose, watery stools) </li>
<li>blood in urine or stools </li>
<li>black, tarry stools </li>
<li>unexplained bruising or bleeding</li>
<li>pinpoint red spots on skin </li>
<li>difficulty seeing (loss of vision) </li>
<li>confusion or unexplained change in behaviour </li>
<li>seizures </li>
<li>severe drowsiness or sleepiness </li>
<li>pain or difficulty with urinating </li>
<li>severe stomach pain or severe vomiting </li>
<li>shortness of breath or difficulty breathing </li>
<li>chest pain or tightness </li>
<li>fast or uneven heartbeat </li></ul> | <h2>What safety measures should you take when your child is using fludarabine?</h2>
<p>Fludarabine has sometimes been associated with a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood, also known as hemolytic anemia. Your child will be monitored using blood tests to make sure this does not occur. If you notice your child looking paler and feeling much more tired than usual, let your child's doctor, nurse, or pharmacist know.</p>
<p>Your child will receive medicine to prevent upset stomach and throwing up caused by fludarabine.</p>
<p>Fludarabine can lower the number of white blood cells in the blood temporarily, which increases your child's chances of getting an infection. Your child can take the following precautions to prevent infections, especially when the blood count is low: </p>
<ul><li>Avoid people with infections, such as a cold or the flu. </li>
<li>Avoid places that are very crowded with large groups of people. </li>
<li>Be careful when brushing or flossing your child's teeth. Your doctor, nurse or dentist may suggest different ways to clean your child's mouth and teeth. </li>
<li>You and your child should not touch your child's eyes or inside their nose without washing hands first. </li>
<li>Your child's nurse will review with you what to do in case of fever. </li></ul>
<p>Fludarabine can lower the number of platelets in the blood, which increases your child's risk of bleeding. You can take the following precautions: </p>
<ul><li>Be careful not to cut your child when using a razor, fingernail scissors, or toenail clippers. </li>
<li>Be careful when shaving or waxing. </li>
<li>Your child should not receive a permanent tattoo or any kind of body piercing. </li>
<li>Your child should avoid contact sports where bruising or injury could occur. </li>
<li>Before your child has surgery, including dental surgery, inform the doctor or dentist that your child is taking fludarabine. </li></ul>
<p>Your child should not receive any immunizations (vaccines) without your child's doctor's approval. Your child and anyone else in your household should not get oral polio vaccine while your child is being treated for cancer. Tell your child's doctor if anyone in your household has recently received oral polio vaccine. Your child should avoid contact with anyone who has recently received this vaccine. Other live vaccines that your child should not get include measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and chickenpox vaccine. </p>
<p>Your child may lose their hair. It will grow back once your child is no longer receiving fludarabine. Its colour and texture may change. Use a gentle shampoo and a soft brush. </p>
<p>Fludarabine may cause sores in the mouth. Rinse your child's mouth with a mouthwash made from baking soda to help keep it clean. Your nurse or pharmacist can review this with you. Avoid store-bought mouthwash as it may sting and cause dry mouth. </p>
<p>Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription or non-prescription or herbal products). </p> | <h2>What other important information should you know about fludarabine?</h2><ul><li>Keep a list of all medications your child is on to show the doctor or pharmacist.</li><li>Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.</li><li>Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.<br></li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/ICO_DrugA-Z.png | Fludarabine | Fludarabine | False | | | | | |
