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Clolar Side Effects

Generic name: clofarabine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 3, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Clolar.

Applies to clofarabine: intravenous solution Side Effects associated with clofarabine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Clolar.

Applies to clofarabine: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Female patients should use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose. Male patients with female partners should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Clofarabine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

This medicine may cause a serious type of reaction called the tumor lysis syndrome. This syndrome may cause you to have high amounts of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Your doctor may give you a medicine to help prevent this. Call your doctor right away if you have a decrease or change in urine amount, joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, lower back, side, or stomach pain, rapid weight gain, swelling of the feet or lower legs, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Call your doctor right away if you have dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, a fast or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, or swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs. These may be symptoms of rare but serious conditions called capillary leak syndrome or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, pale stools, or dark urine, a loss of appetite, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may cause acute kidney failure. Tell your doctor right away if you have decrease in how much or how often you urinate, confusion, dizziness, headache, rapid weight gain, seizures, or swelling of your hands, ankles, or feet after receiving this medicine.

Cancer medicines can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any side effects that might happen.

This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Clolar

Along with its needed effects, clofarabine (the active ingredient contained in Clolar) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking clofarabine:

More common side effects

  • abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness
  • area rash
  • black, tarry stools
  • bleeding gums
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • bloody nose
  • blurred vision
  • burning or stinging of the skin
  • chest pain
  • chills
  • clay-colored stools
  • cold or flu-like symptoms
  • confusion
  • cough or hoarseness
  • dark urine
  • decreased urine output
  • diarrhea
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • dilated neck veins
  • dizziness
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • facial swelling
  • fainting
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • feeling of warmth
  • fever
  • flushing, redness of the skin
  • headache
  • irregular breathing
  • itching in the genital area
  • itching or skin rash
  • joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
  • lightheadedness
  • loss of appetite
  • lower back or side pain
  • nausea
  • nervousness
  • pain
  • painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • pounding in the ears
  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  • redness, swelling, or skin pain
  • scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
  • severe abdominal or stomach cramps with pain
  • slow or fast heartbeat
  • small red or purple spots on the skin
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • sweating
  • swelling of the ankles, feet, or lower legs
  • swelling or inflammation of the mouth
  • swollen glands
  • tenderness
  • tightness in the chest
  • tingling of the hands and feet
  • troubled breathing with exertion
  • ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • unusually warm skin
  • vomiting
  • vomiting of blood
  • warmth on the skin
  • watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
  • weight gain
  • yellow eyes or skin

Less common side effects

  • agitation
  • bloating
  • blue lips and fingernails
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • cloudy urine
  • constipation
  • coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
  • darkened urine
  • decrease or increase in the amount of urine
  • decreased level of consciousness
  • depression
  • difficult, fast, or noisy breathing
  • dry mouth
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • hives
  • hostility
  • hyperventilation
  • increased sweating
  • indigestion
  • irritability
  • muscle aches and pains
  • muscle twitching
  • pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  • pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  • rapid weight gain
  • restlessness
  • seizures
  • shaking
  • shivering
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, or hands
  • trouble sleeping

Incidence not known

  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • red irritated eyes
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center

Other side effects of Clolar

Some side effects of clofarabine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • back pain
  • bone pain
  • bruises on the skin
  • cracked lips
  • difficulty with moving
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • discouragement
  • dry skin
  • fear
  • feeling sad or empty
  • feeling unusually cold
  • injection site pain
  • itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin at the injection site
  • lack or loss of strength
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • muscle pain or stiffness
  • pain in the limbs
  • pain in the rectum
  • right upper stomach pain and fullness
  • skin discoloration
  • sore mouth or tongue
  • swollen joints
  • tiredness
  • trouble concentrating
  • unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
  • unusually warm skin
  • weight loss
  • white patches with diaper rash

For healthcare professionals

Applies to clofarabine: intravenous solution.

Gastrointestinal adverse events

Other

Hematologic

Dermatologic

Nervous system

Hepatic

Cardiovascular

Respiratory

Musculoskeletal

Psychiatric

Genitourinary

Renal

Oncologic

Hypersensitivity

Immunologic

Metabolic

See also:

References

1. (2005) "Product Information. Clolar (clofarabine)." sanofi-aventis

Further information

Clolar side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.