Indications
Fludara is used to treat adult patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) whose disease has not responded to, or has progressed during, treatment with at least one standard chemotherapy regimen containing an alkylating agent. Fludara's safety and effectiveness have not been established in patients who are receiving it as their first treatment for CLL or whose CLL is not refractory to other therapy.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Fludarabine phosphate is rapidly dephosphorylated to 2-fluoro-ara-A, which is then phosphorylated inside cells by the enzyme deoxycytidine kinase to form its active triphosphate, 2-fluoro-ara-ATP. This metabolite appears to work by inhibiting DNA polymerase alpha, ribonucleotide reductase, and DNA primase, thereby blocking DNA synthesis and leading to cell death. The exact mechanism of action of this antimetabolite has not been fully characterized and may involve multiple pathways.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Only very limited data exist on Fludarabine use during the first trimester. One case has been reported of a newborn with absent radii on both sides (though the thumbs were normal), a low platelet count, an aneurysm of the fossa ovalis, and a small patent ductus arteriosus. Early pregnancy loss has occurred with Fludarabine used alone and in combination with other agents, and premature delivery has also been reported.
Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding should not be started during Fludarabine treatment, and mothers who are already nursing should stop. Whether this drug passes into human breast milk is not known, but preclinical data suggest that fludarabine phosphate and/or its breakdown products can transfer from the mother's blood into milk.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.
Side Effects & Interactions
Side Effects
No side-effect data recorded yet.