Consumer Information

Clolar

Generic Name: clofarabine (clo FAIR a bean)
Brand Names: Clolar

What is Clolar?

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Clolar is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Clolar is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer.

Clolar may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Clolar

Clolar should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of Clolar including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with Clolar.

Who should not take Clolar?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

  • had recent vaccinations;

  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease;
  • bone marrow problems; or

  • a history of lung or breathing problems.

You may not be able to take Clolar, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

This medicationis in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that Clolar is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Clolar passes into breast milk. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I use Clolar?

Clolar should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with Clolar depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with this medicationto monitor progress and side effects.

Skin accidentally exposed to Clolar should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Your healthcare provider will store Clolar as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing this medication, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Clolar.

What happens if I overdose?

If for any reason an overdose of Clolar is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a Clolar overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while taking Clolar?

Clolar can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with this medication. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

Skin accidentally exposed to Clolar injection should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Clolar side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
  • an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

  • decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; unusual bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, sore throat, or signs of infection);

  • chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or a dry cough;

  • blood in the urine; or

  • side (flank) pain.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain;

  • loss of appetite;

  • rash, itching or hives;

  • tiredness;

  • muscle pain; or

  • weakness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Clolar?

Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with Clolar. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with Clolar.

Many drugs may interact with this medication. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products during treatment with Clolar.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist has additional information about Clolar written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Clofarabine is available with a prescription under the brand name Clolar. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
  • Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum 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.
Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:45:42 PM.





More Clolar resources

MedFacts Clolar

Micromedex Clolar - Includes detailed dosage instructions.

FDA Clolar

Facts & Comparisons Clofarabine

Clolar Side Effects

Clolar Drug Interactions

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