Leukeran
Leukeran is a chemotherapy medicine used to treat specific types of cancer that affect the blood and lymph system.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
2 mg
Active Ingredient
Chlorambucil
Manufacturer
Aspen Pharma Trading Limited
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose based on your weight and type of cancer; typical doses vary from 0.1 to 0.2 mg per kg of body weight daily, or 6 to 12 mg daily for specific conditions.
Method
Take Leukeran by mouth every day on an empty stomach (at least one hour before or three hours after a meal). Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets.
Important
The maximum daily dose is determined and adjusted by your doctor based on your condition and blood test results.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Reduced number of blood cells or bone marrow suppression.
- •Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth sores.
- •Secondary blood cancer (acute secondary hematological malignancy).
- •Seizures in children with a kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome.
- •Reduced red blood cells or anemia, causing tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath.
RARE
- •Rash.
- •Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice).
- •Allergic symptoms like skin lumps, hives (urticaria), or tissue swelling (edema).
- •Severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, causing rashes, skin peeling, and sores in mucous membranes.
- •Fever.
- •Seizures.
- •Liver damage (hepatotoxicity).
- •Abnormal and repeated body tremors or twitching without seizures.
- •Inflammation of the bladder called cystitis.
- •Irreversible bone marrow failure – your body may stop producing blood cells.
- •Scarring and thickening of the lungs with shortness of breath, lung disease.
- •A condition affecting nerves, leading to impaired sensation, movement, and organ function (peripheral neuropathy).
- •Missed periods (amenorrhea).
- •Absence of sperm in semen (azoospermia).
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to chlorambucil or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Inform your doctor if you have recently had a live vaccine or plan to, as Leukeran can weaken your immune system and ability to fight infections.
- If you are considering a stem cell transplant, long-term use of Leukeran can reduce stem cell count.
- Tell your doctor if you are currently or have recently been treated with radiation or chemotherapy.
- Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome).
Show 2 more warnings
- If you have a history of seizures, you may have a higher risk of seizures while taking Leukeran.
- Long-term use of Leukeran may increase the risk of a second type of blood cancer. Symptoms include tiredness, fever, infections, and bruising; contact your doctor if you notice these.