Fludarabine Phosphate
Pronouncation: (flew-DAR-uh-BEAN)Class: Purine antimetabolite
Trade Names:
Fludara
- Powder for injection 50 mg
Pharmacology
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Fludarabine is a fluorinated nucleotide analog of the antiviral agent vidarabine. Fludarabine's metabolite appears to act by inhibiting DNA polymerase alpha, ribonucleotide reductase, and DNA primase, thus inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Fludarabine is rapidly converted to the active metabolite, 2‐fluoro‐ara‐A, within minutes after IV infusion.
Distribution
In vitro, plasma protein binding of fludarabine ranged between 19% and 29%.
Metabolism
The t ½ of 2‐fluoro‐ara‐A is approximately 20 h.
Elimination
Renal Cl represents approximately 40% of the total body Cl.
Indications and Usage
Refractory or progressive chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukemia.
Unlabeled Uses
Leukemias, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Contraindications
Standard considerations.
Dosage and Administration
Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaAdults
IV 25/m 2 /day over approximately 30 min daily for 5 consecutive days. Each 5‐day course should commence every 28 days.
Renal Function ImpairmentAdults
IV Reduce dose 20% in moderate renal function impairment (CrCl 30 to 70 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ). Do not administer in patients with severely impaired renal function (CrCl less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ).
Drug Interactions
PentostatinConcomitant therapy may cause severe or fatal pulmonary toxicity.
Laboratory Test Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Cardiovascular
Deep venous thrombosis, phlebitis (at least 1%); aneurysm; angina; arrhythmia; cerebrovascular accident; CHF; MI; supraventricular tachycardia; transient ischemic attack.
CNS
Weakness (65%); fatigue (38%); paresthesia (12%); malaise (8%); agitation; coma; confusion; headache; weakness.
Dermatologic
Rash (15%); diaphoresis (13%); pruritus (at least 1%); alopecia; seborrhea.
EENT
Visual disturbances (15%); hearing loss, sleep disorder (at least 1%); cerebellar syndrome; depression; impaired mentation.
GI
Nausea/vomiting (36%); anorexia (34%); diarrhea (15%); GI bleeding (13%); constipation (at least 1%); dysphagia; esophagitis; mucositis; stomatitis.
Genitourinary
Dysuria, hematuria; urinary infection (at least 1%); abnormal renal function test; hemorrhagic cystitis; proteinuria; renal failure; urinary hesitancy.
Hematologic-Lymphatic
Anemia (60%); neutropenia (59%); thrombocytopenia (55%); autoimmune hemolytic anemia; pancytopenia (postmarketing).
Hepatic
Abnormal LFTs (at least 1%); cholelithiasis; liver failure.
Hypersensitivity
Anaphylaxis.
Metabolic-Nutritional
Hyperglycemia (at least 1%); tumor lysis syndrome (including hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, hematuria, urate crystalluria, renal failure).
Musculoskeletal
Myalgia (16%); arthralgia; osteoporosis.
Respiratory
Cough (44%); dyspnea, pneumonia (22%); hemoptysis, upper respiratory tract infections (at least 1%); allergic pneumonitis; bronchitis; epistaxis; hypoxia; pharyngitis; pulmonary hypersensitivity; sinusitis; respiratory distress, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure (postmarketing).
Miscellaneous
Fever (69%); infection (44%); pain (22%); chills, edema (19%); dehydration; hemorrhage.
Precautions
WarningsNeurotoxicity associated with high doses in dose ranging studies in acute leukemia. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia reported after at least 1 cycle. Concurrent use with pentostatin not recommended, based on increased incidence of fatal pulmonary toxicity. Severe CNS toxicity occurred in 36% patients receiving doses approximately 4 times greater than the recommended dose. (96 mg/m 2 /day for 5 to 7 days). At recommended doses, severe CNS toxicity is rare. Bone marrow suppressionSevere bone marrow suppression, notably anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia, occurred. |
Pregnancy
Category D .
Lactation
Undetermined.
Children
Safety and efficacy not established.
Renal Function
Administer cautiously.
Dose-dependent toxicity
There are clear dose-dependent toxic effects seen with fludarabine.
Transfusion
Transfusion-associated graft/host disease may occur after transfusion of non-irradiated blood.
Tumor lysis syndrome
Tumor lysis syndrome has occurred.
Overdosage
Symptoms
Irreversible CNS toxicity characterized by delayed blindness, coma, and death; severe thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.
Patient Information
- Review the treatment regimen including dosing schedule, duration of treatment, and monitoring that will be required.
- Advise patient, family, or caregiver that medication will be prepared and administered by health care providers in a health care setting.
- Advise patient, family, or caregiver that medication may be used in combination with other agents to achieve maximum benefit possible.
- Advise patient, family, or caregiver to immediately report any of the following to health care provider: rash; hives; difficulty breathing; fever, chills, or other signs of infection; bleeding or unusual bruising; sores in mouth; dark urine; yellowing of skin or eyes; pain, redness, or swelling at injection site.
- Advise patient, family, or caregiver to report any of the following to health care provider: persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite loss; persistent or worsening general body weakness.
- Caution women of childbearing potential to avoid becoming pregnant during therapy.
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More Fludarabine Phosphate resources:
Fludara - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
Fludarabine Phosphate Drug Interactions
Cancer, Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
