What is Chlorambucil?
Chlorambucil was first synthesized by Everett et al. It is a bifunctional alkylating agent of the nitrogen mustard type that has been found active against selected human neoplastic diseases. Chlorambucil is known chemically as 4-[bis(2-chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid and has the following structural formula:
Chlorambucil is available in tablet form for oral administration. Each film-coated tablet contains 2 mg chlorambucil and the inactive ingredients colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, lactose (anhydrous), macrogol/PEG 400, microcrystalline cellulose, red iron oxide, stearic acid, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide.Chlorambucil Tablets – Taj Ando Pharmaceuticals, South Africa | Chlorambucil was first synthesized by Everett et al. It is a bifunctional alkylating agent of the nitrogen mustard type that has been found active against selected human neoplastic diseases. Chlorambucil is known chemically as 4-[bis(2-chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid.
Chlorambucil Tablets – Taj Ando Pharmaceuticals, South Africa | Chlorambucil was first synthesized by Everett et al. It is a bifunctional alkylating agent of the nitrogen mustard type that has been found active against selected human neoplastic diseases. Chlorambucil is known chemically as 4-[bis(2-chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid.
Chlorambucil Tablets – Taj Ando Pharmaceuticals, South Africa | Chlorambucil was first synthesized by Everett et al. It is a bifunctional alkylating agent of the nitrogen mustard type that has been found active against selected human neoplastic diseases. Chlorambucil is known chemically as 4-[bis(2-chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid.
Do not take Chlorambucil if:
Take special care with Chlorambucil
Before you take Chlorambucil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
you have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy, now or recently
you have a liver or kidney problems
you have nephrotic syndrome (a kidney problem) or ever had a fit or convulsion. You may have an increased risk of fits when taking Chlorambucil.If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking Chlorambucil.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any of the following:
- Vaccines which contain live organisms (such as oral polio vaccine, measles, mumps, rubella) – Chlorambucil can make your body less able to fight infections.
- Phenylbutazone (a medicine used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation in the body) – you may require a lower dose of Chlorambucil.
- Fludarabine, Pentostatin or Cladribine, which are medicines used during chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for the treatment of haematological malignancies (types of cancer that affect blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes.
Fertility
Do not take Chlorambucil if you are planning to have a baby. This applies to both men and women. Chlorambucil can affect ovaries or sperm, which may cause infertility (inability to have a baby). Use a reliable form of contraception to avoid pregnancy if either you or your partner is taking Chlorambucil. Ask your doctor for advice.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Treatment with Chlorambucil is not recommended during pregnancy because it may cause permanent damage to a foetus. If you are pregnant, if you think you could be pregnant, or if you are planning to become pregnant, check with your doctor before you take Chlorambucil. Your doctor will consider the risks and benefits to you and your baby of taking Chlorambucil.
Do not breast-feed while taking Chlorambucil. There have been reports indicating that Chlorambucil and its ingredients can be passed into breast-milk. Ask your doctor or midwife for advice.
Common side effects
More than 10 in every 100 people have one or more of the side effects listed below.
An increased risk of getting an infection from a drop in white blood cells – it is harder to fight infections and you can become very ill.
You may have headaches, aching muscles, a cough, a sore throat, pain passing urine, or you may feel cold and shivery.
If you have a severe infection this can be life threatening.
Contact your treatment centre straight away if you have any of these effects or if your temperature goes above 38°C.
You will have regular blood tests to check your blood cell levels
Tiredness and breathlessness due to a drop in red blood cells (anaemia) – you may need a blood transfusion
Bruising more easily due to a drop in platelets – you may have nosebleeds, bleeding gums after brushing your teeth, or lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or legs (known as petechia)
Tiredness and weakness (fatigue) during and after treatment – most people find their energy levels are back to normal within 6 months to a year
Women may stop having periods (amenorrhoea) but this may only be temporary
Loss of fertility – you may not be able to become pregnant or father a child after treatment with this drug.
Talk to your doctor before starting treatment if you think you may want to have a baby in the future. Men may be able to store sperm before starting treatment
Occasional side effects
Between 1 and 10 in every 100 people have one or more of these effects.
Feeling or being sick – this is usually mild, but if you feel sick let your doctor or nurse know as they can give you tablets to prevent this.
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Skin rashes on your face, scalp and body – tell your doctor or nurse straight away if you develop a rash. You may have to stop treatment until it gets better
- Diarrhoea – you should drink plenty of fluids. If diarrhoea becomes severe or continues you could become dehydrated, so let your doctor or nurse know
- Mouth ulcers
There is a small risk that you may get a second cancer some years after chlorambucil treatment. This occurs in 1 to 10% of people treated.
Rare side effects
Fewer than 1 in 100 people have these effects.
Inflammation of the lungs – tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any difficulty breathing
Fits (seizures) – these are more likely in children or in people who have had a lot of chlorambucil treatment
Important points to remember
The side effects above may be mild or more severe.
A side effect may get better or worse through your course of treatment, or more side effects may develop as the course goes on.
This depends on
- How many times you’ve had the drug before
- Your general health
- The amount of the drug you have (the dose)
- Other drugs you are having
- Coping with side effects
Other medicines
Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies.
Some drugs can react together.
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