About fludarabine phosphate
Purine nucleoside antimetabolite chemotherapy
Used for
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
- Certain non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including in specialist treatment regimens
Usual adult dose
For CLL, 25 mg/m² intravenously once daily for 5 days, usually every 28 days; specialist-directed.
Common side effects
- Low blood-cell counts and increased infection risk
- Fever, fatigue, nausea, or vomiting
- Nervous-system effects, including confusion or vision changes
- Lung problems or severe skin reactions
Important warnings
- Can cause severe, prolonged suppression of blood-cell production.
- Serious infections and life-threatening nervous-system effects can occur.
- Requires specialist monitoring of blood counts and kidney function.
- Do not use with pentostatin; this combination has caused fatal lung toxicity.
Pregnancy
Can harm an unborn baby. Avoid during pregnancy; effective contraception is required during treatment and afterward.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment or for at least one week after the final dose.
Interactions
- Pentostatin: combination is contraindicated due to serious lung toxicity.
- Other medicines that suppress bone marrow may increase blood-cell complications.
- Dipyridamole and other adenosine-uptake inhibitors may reduce fludarabine effectiveness.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.