clolar

Clolar (clofarabine) is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Clolar is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a type of blood cancer) in children and young adults up to 21 years old.

Clolar is usually given after other cancer medicines have been tried without successful treatment.

Important information

A rare but serious side effect of Clolar is called capillary leak syndrome. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of this condition, which may include: stuffy or runny nose followed by weakness or tired feeling, and sudden swelling in your arms, legs and other parts of the body.

Clolar can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

Clolar can harm your liver or kidneys. Call your doctor if you have lower back pain, little or no urinating, or blood in your urine.

Before taking this medicine

To make sure Clolar is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

Do not use Clolar if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving Clolar, whether you are a man or a woman. Clolar use by either parent may cause birth defects.

It is not known whether clofarabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are receiving Clolar.

How is Clolar given?

Clolar is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Clolar is usually given daily for 5 days in a row during one or more treatment cycles. Your doctor will determine how many treatment cycles you will receive and how often.

You may receive other medications to help prevent certain side effects of Clolar.

Clolar can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

Clolar dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:

Less than 22 years:
Initial Dose: 52 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion over 2 hours daily for 5 consecutive days

Treatment cycles are repeated following recovery or return to baseline organ function, approximately every 2 to 6 weeks. Subsequent cycles should begin no sooner than 14 days from day 1 of the previous cycle. Subsequent cycles may be administered when the ANC is greater than or equal to 750/mm3.

Greater than 22 years:
Not approved for use by the FDA.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:

Less than 1 year:
Not approved for use by the FDA.

Greater than 1 year:
Initial Dose: 52 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion over 2 hours daily for 5 consecutive days

Treatment cycles are repeated following recovery or return to baseline organ function, approximately every 2 to 6 weeks. Subsequent cycles should begin no sooner than 14 days from day 1 of the previous cycle. Subsequent cycles may be administered when the ANC is greater than or equal to 750/mm3.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Clolar injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Since Clolar is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving Clolar?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

This medicine can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Patients and caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Clolar side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Clolar: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

A rare but serious side effect of Clolar is called capillary leak syndrome. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of this condition, which may include: stuffy or runny nose followed by weakness or tired feeling, and sudden swelling in your arms, legs and other parts of the body.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• painful or difficult urination;

• pain, redness, numbness, and peeling skin on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling;

• signs of infection--fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms, unusual weakness, mouth and throat ulcers, swollen gums, pain when swallowing, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), skin sores, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting;

• signs of a liver problem--sudden swelling in your mid-section, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• signs of tumor cell breakdown--lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urinating; numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth; muscle weakness or tightness; fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, feeling short of breath; confusion.

Common Clolar side effects may include:

• fever, sore throat, mouth sores;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• headache, feeling tired or anxious;

• mild itching or skin rash; or

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Clolar?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Clolar, especially blood pressure medication.

Clolar can harm your liver or kidneys. This effect is increased when you also use other medicines harmful to the liver or kidneys. During your 5-day treatment with Clolar, you may need to avoid using certain medications. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the liver or kidneys, such as:

• leflunomide, methotrexate, teriflunomide;

• an antibiotic, antifungal medicine, antiviral medicine, sulfa drug, or tuberculosis medicine;

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• gout or arthritis medications (including gold injections);

• HIV/AIDS medications;

• injectable osteoporosis medicine;

• medication to prevent organ transplant rejection;

• medicines to treat a bowel disorder;

• medicines to treat mental illness;

• other cancer medications;

• cholesterol-lowering medications--Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Simcor, Vytorin, Zocor, and others;

• pain or arthritis medicines--acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or

• seizure medication--carbamazepine, phenytoin, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with clofarabine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.