Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable).
Blood clotting: Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable) can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, cladribine can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.
Kidney function: Cladribine may cause reduced kidney function. If you have reduced kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Nerve damage: High doses of cladribine, and cladribine used with other treatments for cancer have been associated with damage to the nerves affecting the arms and legs. In some cases, permanent paralysis of the limbs has occurred. If you experience difficulty moving your arms or legs, or numbness and tingling in the limbs, inform your doctor immediately.
Red blood cells: Cladribine may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (Anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS): In rare instances, cladribine may cause TLS, a potentially fatal condition that causes sudden kidney failure and abnormal heart rhythms. In the early stage of TLS, you may not have any symptoms, but your doctor will monitor for this condition with blood tests. If you experience symptoms of TLS (e.g., a pounding, fast, or irregular heartbeat; vomiting; fatigue or weakness; difficulty concentrating; swelling, numbness or tingling in hands, face, or feet; back pain; muscle cramps; fainting; or trouble breathing), contact your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy: Cladribine should not be used during pregnancy. There is a possibility of birth defects if either the man or woman is using cladribine at the time of conception, or if it is taken during pregnancy. Effective birth control should be practiced while using Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable) and for at least 6 months after the last dose. If you become pregnant while taking Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable), contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if cladribine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Leustatin (Cladribine-injectable) for children have not been clearly established. It should only be prescribed or given by health care professionals familiar with the use of cancer chemotherapy in children.
