Fludarabine

Fludarabine is an injectable chemotherapy drug that is used to treat chronic lymphocytic lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells. This medication is only prescribed to patients who have tried other types of chemotherapy without success. It is injected into the veins for five days in a row and may be repeated every 28 days.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication can suppress the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow. As a result, patients may be susceptible to serious infections. Fever, chill, nausea, vomiting, congestion and coughing are signs of infections that may need immediate medical treatment. The immune system may also turn against other blood cells while on this drug, causing nosebleeds, heavy menstruation, dark urine, yellow skin and red and purple dots on the skin.

This medication can also damage the nervous system, causing seizures, agitation and confusion.

Do not take this medication if you are on pentostatin, as the interaction between these drugs causes severe lung damage.