Product Info

Chlorambucil (klor-AM-byoo-sill) is used to treat Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia, advanced ovarian cancer, and advanced breast cancer. It works by slowing down the growth and reproduction of cancer cells.

Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not swallow broken tablets. Do not crush or divide the tablets. Use Chlorambucil as directed by your doctor. Chlorambucil may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation. Chlorambucil works best if it is taken at the same time each day. Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Chlorambucil is recommended.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: Agitation, clumsiness, confusion, diarrhea, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet; tiredness, tremors, twitching. Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); absence of monthly period; chills, congestion, excessive tiredness, fever, hallucinations, hip, stomach, or joint pain; infertility, nausea, persistent cough, seizures, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; sore throat; sores in the mouth or on the lips; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual lumps or masses; vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes. If you take too many Chlorambucil tablets, you could become agitated, have convulsions, and/or become unsteady while walking. If you suspect an overdose of Chlorambucil, seek medical attention immediately.

Do NOT use Chlorambucil if you are allergic to any ingredient in Chlorambucil or if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if: You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or plan to father a child. Chlorambucil may be harmful to the sperm, eggs and/or an unborn baby. Reliable contraceptive precautions MUST be taken to avoid pregnancy whilst you or your partner are taking these tablets. If you are already pregnant, your doctor will weigh up the expected benefits of Chlorambucil to you against the possible risks to your unborn baby. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed; Chlorambucil may pass into breast milk, so mothers taking Chlorambucil should not breastfeed. Consult your doctor if you have recently been vaccinated, or are planning to be vaccinated with a live vaccine; if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives; if you are receiving or have recently completed radiation therapy or any other treatment for cancer from another doctor; suffer from bone marrow depression, have decreased white blood counts or decreased blood platelets, an infection, shingles, chickenpox, or the blood disease porphyria; if you have had an allergic reaction to any other alkylating agent (eg, cyclophosphamide); if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of seizures or head trauma.

If have not told your doctor about any of the above, please do so before taking Chlorambucil. Chlorambucil may cause drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Chlorambucil. Using Chlorambucil alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. If nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite occurs, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects. Chlorambucil may reduce the number of blood cells that are needed for clotting. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations where bruising or injury may occur. Chlorambucil may lower your body's ability to fight infection. To prevent infection, avoid contact with people who have colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed you hands first. Lab tests, such as complete blood counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Chlorambucil may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. However, you should not assume that you cannot get pregnant, or that you cannot get someone else pregnant. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Chlorambucil has been shown to cause harm to the fetus.

Many drugs can increase the effects of Chlorambucil, which can lead to heavy sedation. Chlorambucil may interact with the following drugs: Barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures; Live virus vaccine. Before taking Chlorambucil, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Chlorambucil, melphalan (Alkeran), or any other drugs. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin and vitamins.

If you miss a dose of Chlorambucil and take 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the dose if you do not remember until the next day. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Store Chlorambucil in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Keep Chlorambucil out of the reach of children and away from pets.