Clofarabine Injection
What is this medication?
CLOFARABINE (kloe FAR a been) treats acute leukemia. It works by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Clolar
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
- Bleeding disorder
- Infection
- Kidney disease
- An unusual or allergic reaction to clofarabine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
How should I use this medication?
This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What may interact with this medication?
- Acetaminophen
- Amiodarone
- Aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
- Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
- Certain medications for cholesterol, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin
- Certain medications for fungal infections, such as amphotericin B, fluconazole, and ketoconazole
- Certain medications for infection, such as acyclovir, adefovir, amoxicillin, bacitracin, cidofovir, erythromycin, foscarnet, ganciclovir, gentamicin, minocycline, pentamidine, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, telithromycin, tetracycline, vancomycin
- Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid/divalproex sodium
- Cisplatin
- Cyclosporine
- Diuretics
- Isoniazid
- Lomitapide mesylate
- Methotrexate
- Methyldopa
- NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Pamidronate
- Rifampin
- Zoledronic acid
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.
You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.
This medication may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your care team if you notice any unusual bleeding.
This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
Talk to your care team if you or your partner may be pregnant. Serious birth defects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy and for 6 months after the last dose.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
- Capillary leak syndrome—stomach or muscle pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, feeling faint or lightheaded, decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet, trouble breathing
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Sudden or severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting
- Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decrease in the amount of urine, dark urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, confusion, muscle pain or cramps, fast or irregular heartbeat, joint pain
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Pain in the hands or feet
- Vomiting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Additional Information From Chemocare.com About Clofarabine
Self-Care Tips:
Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
You may be at risk of infection so try to avoid crowds or people with colds and those not feeling well, and report fever or any other signs of infection immediately to your health care provider.
Wash your hands often.
To help treat/prevent mouth sores, use a soft toothbrush, and rinse three times a day with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda and/or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of water.
Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury.
If you should experience nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small frequent meals. Sucking on lozenges and chewing gum may also help.
Avoid sun exposure. Wear SPF 15 (or higher) sun block and protective clothing.
In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
Get plenty of rest.
Maintain good nutrition.
If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
When to contact your doctor or health care provider:
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms and go to the Emergency Room:
- Fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection)
- Signs of a reaction to the medication (wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue or grey skin color; seizures; or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools or urine
- Very bad headache
- Not able to pass urine
- Change in thinking clearly and with logic
- Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
- Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period)
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
- A burning or tingling that is not normal
- Very bad skin irritation
- Any rash
- Other signs of infection such as very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in the color of the sputum, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
