What is Nelarabine?
Nelarabine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Nelarabine is used to treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.
Nelarabine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Nelarabine?
Nelarabine may cause serious side effects of the central nervous system, such as problems with balance, coordination, or fine motor skills. These symptoms may not go away even after you stop receiving nelarabine. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about any possible long-term side effects.
Do not use nelarabine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Before you receive nelarabine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, a nerve disorder, a history of chemotherapy or radiation treatment of your head, neck, or spinal cord.
Nelarabine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are being treated with nelarabine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.
Nelarabine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Nelarabine?
Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to nelarabine.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- a nerve disorder
- a history of radiation treatment of your head, neck, or spinal cord; or
- a history of cancer medicine injected around your spinal cord
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use nelarabine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether nelarabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Nelarabine Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Nelarabine?
Nelarabine may cause serious side effects of the central nervous system. These symptoms may not go away even after you stop receiving nelarabine. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about any possible long-term side effects.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- confusion or clumsiness
- loss of balance or coordination
- weakness or trouble walking
- numbness and tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes
- problems with buttoning clothes or picking up small items with your fingers
- blurred vision
- seizure (convulsions)
- black, bloody or tarry stools; or
- signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds or bleeding gums), loss of appetite, or mouth sores
Less serious side effects may include:
- cough
- headache
- mild stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- redness, pain, or swelling around the IV needle; or
- dizziness, extreme drowsiness
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Nelarabine Interactions
What other drugs affect Nelarabine?
Before receiving nelarabine, tell your doctor if you are also using pentostatin (Nipent).
There may be other drugs that can interact with nelarabine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Nelarabine?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a “live” vaccine while using nelarabine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.
Nelarabine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Nelarabine Dosage
How should I take Nelarabine?
Nelarabine is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Nelarabine must be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 2 hours to complete.
Nelarabine can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.
To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your nervous system and kidney function may also need to be tested. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Visit your doctor regularly.
What happens if I overdose on Nelarabine?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose can cause paralysis or coma.
What happens if I miss a dose of Nelarabine?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your nelarabine injection.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com