Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Leukeran

Generic Name: chlorambucil (Pronunciation: klor AM bue sil)

• What is chlorambucil (Leukeran)?
• What are the possible side effects of chlorambucil (Leukeran)?
• What is the most important information I should know about chlorambucil (Leukeran)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorambucil (Leukeran)?
• How should I take chlorambucil (Leukeran)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Leukeran)?
• What happens if I overdose (Leukeran)?
• What should I avoid while taking chlorambucil (Leukeran)?
• What other drugs will affect chlorambucil (Leukeran)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is chlorambucil (Leukeran)?

Chlorambucil is a cancer medication that interferes with cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

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

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

What are the possible side effects of chlorambucil (Leukeran)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using chlorambucil and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• seizure (convulsions);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• an unusual mass or lump;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, or ongoing cough;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or
• missed menstrual periods.

Less serious side effects:

• upset stomach, mild nausea, diarrhea;
• tremors or shaking; or
• numbness or tingling.

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.

What is the most important information I should know about chlorambucil (Leukeran)?

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Treatment with chlorambucil may increase your risk of developing other forms of cancer. This medication can also affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman. Talk to your doctor about your specific risks when using chlorambucil.

Chlorambucil can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with chlorambucil.

Stop using chlorambucil and call your doctor at once if you have a seizure, red or peeling skin rash, severe nausea or stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes), any unusual mass or lump, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, flu-like symptoms, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, or missed menstrual periods.