What Clofarabine is used for?
Clofarabine (Clolar) is used for the treatment of young patients (aged 1 to 21 years) with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) when the previous treatments were not effective.
What Clofarabine does?
The clolar 20 mg injection specifically damages the rapidly proliferating (fast producing) cells and kills them.
What is the usual dose of clofarabine?
The recommended pediatric clolar dose is 52 mg/m², which should be given as an IV infusion over a couple of hours each day for 5 days one after another.
Possible Side Effects: Like all medications, clofarabine 20 mg injection may also have side effects. Some possible side effects of this drug are listed below:
The following side effects due to clolar have been reported most commonly:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Itching
- Headache
- Rash
- Cough
- Flushing
- Constipation
- Mouth soreness
- Sore throat
- Inflamed gums
- Muscle aches
The following clofarabine side effects have been reported commonly:
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Depression
- Joint aches
- Feeling sleepy
- Feeling unwell
In case you experience any side effects for a longer period of time, report your healthcare practitioner right away.
Warnings and Precautions: Clofarabine should always be administered under the appropriate supervision of an experienced healthcare practitioner in the use of antineoplastic drugs. Clofarabine is associated with:
- Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) because of rapid destruction of leukemia cells.
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)/Capillary Leak Syndrome.
- Inflammation of the intestines.
- Bleeding into the brain, stomach, intestines or lung.
- Severe skin reaction (such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- Liver injury
- Kidney failure, because of TLS/infections.
When clofarabine should not be used?
- In case you/your child have ever had an allergic reaction to clofarabine or any ingredient in clolar injection.
- In case you/your child have leukemia cells in your fluid that surrounds your brain as well as spinal cord.
- In case you/your child have had serious heart/liver/kidney or pancreas complications.
- In case you/your child have severe liver/kidney disease that leads to decreased function of these organs.
What things should I know before using Clofarabine?
- Before using clofarabine 20 mg interact with your healthcare practitioner if:
- You or your child have had liver/kidney problems.
- You have conceived a child or plan to conceive.
clofarabine injection may be harmful for an unborn baby, ways of effective birth control should be considered while taking it. Discuss with your healthcare practitioner about your existing choices.
- You/your child are allergic to clofarabine, or any of its ingredients.
- You/your child are on with other drugs or treatments, including herbal, over-the-counter medicines and home remedies.
- You are breastfeeding. It is not known if clofarabine 20 mg passes through breast milk. Women should avoid breastfeeding while on Clolar.
- You/your child have decreased blood cell counts.
What if I have taken an overdose of clolar?
If any individual has overdosed and has serious signs i.e. difficult breathing or passing out, call your healthcare practitioner or a poison control center as soon as you can.
What if I missed a dose of clofarabine?
It is crucial to take every dose of clofarabine as scheduled. In case you miss or forget any dose, ask your healthcare practitioner right away in order to know a new dosing schedule.
How to store clofarabine?
Store clofarabine vials at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C - 30°C (59 - 86°F).Once diluted, preparation should be used immediately.
What is the price of clofarabine injection?
The clofarabine price may vary from generic to branded drugs. This injection is available at price around 14500 INR.
When was Clofarabine approved?
On December 28, 2004, Clofarabine was first approved by the USFDA. Then, on May 29, 2006, clofarabine was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). On March 25, 2013, it was approved by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency of Japan (PMDA).
What does clofarabine treat?
Clofarabine is approved to treat patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer of the white blood cells.
What class of drug is Clofarabine?
Clofarabine falls under the class of drugs called purine nucleoside antimetabolites.
What are the two most common types of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?
The two most common types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia are B-Lymphocytes and T-Lymphocytes.
Who is at risk for ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)?
Generally, acute lymphoblastic leukemia is most likely to affect children and older adults. Certain factors may raise an individual's risk of developing ALL. Children aged younger than 15 years and adults aged older than 50 are more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
NOTE: The piece of information provided in this article is just for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis, of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
