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 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 to
safely use this medication:
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. This medication can cause harm to an
unborn baby.
Do not
receive nelarabine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are receiving this
medication.
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.
How should I take nelarabine?
Nelarabine is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this
injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and
can take up to 2 hours to complete.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your nervous system and kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any
scheduled visits to your doctor.
What happens if I miss a dose of nelarabine?
Contact your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment to receive your nelarabine
injection.
Where can I get more information about nelarabine?
Your pharmacist has information about nelarabine written for health professionals that you may read.
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 any of these serious side effects:
confusion or clumsiness;
lack 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;
redness, pain, or swelling where the IV needle was placed;
or
weakness, dizziness, extreme sleepiness.
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.
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
receive this medication if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to
the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant
during treatment.
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.
Nelarabine is given as an injection into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider
will give you this injection while you are in a clinic or hospital setting. Nelarabine must be injected
slowly through an IV needle. Each injection may take up to 2 hours to complete.
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 can cause side effects that 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 avoid while taking nelarabine?
Avoid coming into contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses
during your treatment with nelarabine. 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.
Do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (a "live" vaccine) while you are being
treated with nelarabine. Avoid coming into contact with people who have recently been vaccinated with
a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.
Nelarabine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will 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 the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling
your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009