Side effects of Leukeran: What you need to know

 

If you have some cancers, your doctor may prescribe leukemia as a treatment option. It is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of cancer in adults, including:

The active ingredient in Leukeran is chloramphenicol. (An active ingredient is the medicine that works.) It is a type of chemotherapy medicine that comes in the form of a 2 mg (mg) tablet that you swallow. (Your doctor will determine how many pills you take.) Depending on your condition, you may be able to take this medicine for a longer period of time.

For more information on Leukeran, including details on its use, see this in-depth article.

Like other medicines, Leukeran can cause mild to serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Leukeran treatment. Examples of commonly reported side effects include:

These are just some of the side effects that can cause Leukeran. Read on to learn more about the possible side effects of this medicine.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the "Explaining Side Effects" section below.

Mild side effects with Leukeran are not uncommon, but they can occur.

Examples of mild side effects reported with this medication include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some can be easily organized. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothering you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. And don't stop taking this medicine unless your doctor recommends it.

Leukeran may cause mild side effects in addition to the above. See prescription drug information for details.

Note: Once a drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it tracks the side effects of the drug. If you would like to inform the FDA about any side effects you may have had from Leukeran, visit MedWatch.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the "Explaining Side Effects" section below.

There may be serious side effects while taking Leukeran. Most are uncommon or rare, but some side effects, such as bone marrow suppression, are more common in studies.

Serious side effects reported with Leukeran include:

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects while taking Leukeran. If the side effects seem fatal or you think you have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the "Explained Side Effects" section below. ** Leukeran has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the "Explained Side Effects" section below. † Leukeran has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see "Pregnancy and lactation while taking leucron" under "Leukron Warnings".

Because Leukeran has not been studied in children, the safety and efficacy of the drug for people 18 years of age or younger is unknown. For this reason, the drug is not approved for use in children. But it is sometimes prescribed off-label for children in certain situations. (Off-label use occurs when a drug is prescribed to treat a condition for which it has been approved.)

Seizures are a reported side effect in children taking Leukeran, and the risk is increased in people with nephrotic syndrome (symptoms of kidney problems). A history of head trauma or seizure disorder can also increase the risk of seizures.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the side effects of Leukeran.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the side effects of Leukeran.

Are side effects more likely to occur with age or more severe?

Possibly. In the study, there was limited information on taking Leukeran for people 65 years of age and older. Therefore, it is not clear whether older adults respond to leukocytes differently than younger adults.

Older adults may be more likely to have kidney or liver problems. They may have other medical conditions and may take other medications. These factors can increase the risk of side effects. For these reasons, the Leukeran maker recommends that older adults start with a lower dose of the drug.

How will my liver problems affect my risk of side effects?

Having liver problems may increase the risk of side effects of Leukeran. There have been no studies on people with liver damage from taking this drug. It is therefore not known to what extent liver problems can affect your risk of side effects. But your liver removes Leukeran from your body, so if you have liver problems, this medicine may accumulate in your system. And can cause a lot of side effects. Because of this risk, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of Leukeran if you have liver problems.

Liukeran also has serious side effects. If you have any symptoms of liver damage during your treatment, tell your doctor right away. Symptoms include:

Before starting Leukeran, tell your doctor if you have any problems with your liver.

Learn more about some of the side effects of Leukeran.

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) is a possible side effect of Leukeran. It can also be caused by cancer. With peripheral neuropathy, the nerves that connect your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body do not work properly. If your peripheral neuropathy is caused by leukemia, it may subside gradually after you finish your treatment. In some cases, it can never be completely removed.

Examples of peripheral neuropathy symptoms include:

Numbness, tingling, or tingling sensations (especially in hands and feet)

Increased pain, usually from painless stimuli

Acute or burning pain

Reducing the feeling of temperature or pain

What can help?

Tell your doctor if you have any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Depending on your situation, they may make changes to your treatment. They may also prescribe painkillers or patches that may be applied to the skin to reduce pain in certain areas.

Massage, acupuncture, and physical or occupational therapy can help reduce discomfort and improve balance, strength, and fine motor skills.

To reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy, try:

Using a heating pad

Apply ice packs on the affected areas twice daily for 10 minutes.

Avoid crossing your legs or other activities that increase the pressure on the affected areas.

Nausea and vomiting

Leukeran can cause nausea and vomiting. Other digestive problems include diarrhea and mouth ulcers. But overall, digestive issues do not often occur in drug studies.

What can help?

To help reduce nausea:

Avoid strong odors

Eat small, frequent meals

Avoid high fat, spicy or fatty foods.

To help prevent vomiting, try drinking clean liquids and eating simple foods such as rice or crackers. And drink plenty of water or sports drinks to help you stay hydrated.

If your nausea and vomiting do not go away or get worse, talk to your doctor. They may be able to make further recommendations for relief.

Lung problems

Leukeran can cause pulmonary fibrosis where scar tissue builds up in the lungs, causing the lungs to harden. This can make it difficult to breathe.

Symptoms of lung problems include:

What can help?

Talk to your doctor if you have wheezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing. A checkup can help them determine if you have lung problems.

Risk of cancer

Leukeran has a boxed warning for the increased risk of certain types of cancer. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They warn doctors and patients about the effects of drugs that can be dangerous.

There are reports of leukemia in people treated with leukemia for cancer other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or lymphoma. And chloramphenicol (a drug active in leukemia) has been linked to an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia. In many cases, the victims were treated with other cancer drugs or radiation therapy.

Leukeran overdose or prolonged use of the drug is thought to increase the risk of other cancers.

Because of the risks of cancer, doctors will not usually prescribe leukemia for cancers for which it has been approved for treatment. If you have cancer other than CLL or certain types of lymphoma, your doctor will consider them before treating you with this medicine.

What can help?

Before starting Leukeran, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of this medicine for your specific situation.

During your treatment, if you show any symptoms of leukemia, such as:

Risk of bone marrow suppression

Leukeran has a boxed warning for the risk of bone marrow suppression. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They warn doctors and patients about the effects of drugs that can be dangerous.

Bone marrow suppression is a common side effect of Leukeran. If caught too early during treatment, it usually reverses.

Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are made from your bone marrow cells. If your bone marrow loses its ability to make new blood cells, blood disorders can occur. Low levels of certain types of blood cells can lead to anemia (low levels of red blood cells) and increase the risk of infection. You may also bleed or get injured more easily.

What can help?

Call your doctor right away if you notice any signs of anemia which may be a sign of bone marrow depressions. Symptoms include:

Your doctor will often check your blood count during your Leukeran treatment. Talk to them if you have any questions or concerns about bone marrow suppression or blood disorders.

Allergic reaction

Like most medicines, Leukeran can cause allergies in some people. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:

Skin rub

Itch

Flushing (temporary heat, redness, or darkening of skin color)

Swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands or feet

Swelling in your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it difficult to breathe.

What can help?

Call your doctor right away if you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash. They may suggest treatments to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

Over-the-counter oral antihistamines, such as Bendrell (Daphne Hydramine)

A topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms that you have a mild allergy to Leukeran, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. These symptoms can be fatal and require immediate medical attention.

If your doctor confirms that you have a severe allergic reaction to Leukeran, they may ask you to go for another treatment.

Monitor side effects

During your Leukeran treatment, consider taking note of any side effects you may have. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new medications or use a combination of therapies.

Your side effects note may include things like:

How much of this medicine were you taking when you had a side effect?

How long after you started this diet did you have side effects?

What were your symptoms?

How it affects your daily activities.

What other medicines were you taking?

Any other information you feel is important.

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Leukeran affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Leukeran comes with several alerts.

Boxed alerts

Leukeran warns of the risks of cancer, bone marrow suppression, fetal damage, and infertility. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They warn doctors and patients about the effects of drugs that can be dangerous.

Risk of cancer. Leukeran may increase the risk of other cancers. Because of this risk, it is only approved for the treatment of certain cancers.

Risk of bone marrow suppression. Leukeran can reduce your bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells, which can lead to blood disorders.

Risk of fetal loss. If leucran is taken during pregnancy, it can harm the developing fetus. Because of this risk, your doctor may prescribe treatment other than Leukeran if you are pregnant or become pregnant during treatment.

Risk of infertility. Leukeran can cause temporary or permanent infertility in both men and women.

For details on Leukeran's risk of cancer and bone marrow suppression, see the "Explaining Side Effects" section above. For information on Leukeran's harm to the fetus and the risk of infertility, see "Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Leukeran" below.

* In this article, we use the terms "male" and "female" to refer to someone's gender assigned at birth. For information on gender and gender differences, see this article.

Other warnings

Leukeran may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk to your doctor about your health history before starting Leukeran. Below are several factors to consider.

Tour. Some people may have seizures while taking Leukeran. This risk is increased if you have a history of seizures, head trauma, or other medications that can cause seizures. The risk of seizures can also increase if you get high doses of leucorrhoea (a type of treatment schedule). Because of this risk, your doctor will either monitor you more closely during your treatment or choose a different medication for you.

Allergic reaction. If you have an allergic reaction to Leukeran or any of its ingredients, your doctor may not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that may be better treatment options.

Recent therapy with radiation. Bone marrow suppression is a common side effect of Leukeran. It is also a side effect of radiation therapy. Treatment with these treatments very close to each other can be dangerous. Because of this risk, doctors may prescribe Leukeran 4 weeks after your radiation therapy.

Low blood count Leukeran can cause a temporary decrease in your blood cells and platelets. This can increase your risk of infection, anemia and bleeding.

Liver problems. This drug may cause a temporary increase in liver function tests. If you already have liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Leukeran for you. They will also order repeated tests during your treatment to monitor your liver enzyme levels.

Alcohol use and Leukeran

The interaction of Leukeran with alcohol is not known. If you take this medicine while taking it, side effects like nausea and vomiting may increase.

Seizures and peripheral neuropathy are possible side effects of leukemia. They can also be caused by drinking large amounts of alcohol. Using both at the same time can increase the risk of these effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor to find out more about how much, if any, leukeran is safe to use during your treatment.

Pregnancy and lactation while taking Leukeran.

See below for details on the effects of Leukeran on pregnancy, lactation and infertility.

Pregnancy

You should not take Leukeran during pregnancy. This medicine is a boxed warning for the risk of harm to the fetus if taken during pregnancy. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Your doctor may tell you more about the effects of Leukeran during pregnancy and may suggest birth control options.

Breastfeeding

It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. But if this medicine can be a danger to the breastfeeding baby. Your doctor may prescribe Leukeran while you are breastfeeding.

Risk of infertility

This medicine has a boxed warning for the risk of infertility. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Leukeran can cause temporary or permanent infertility in both men and women.

* In this article, we use the terms "male" and "female" to refer to someone's gender assigned at birth. For information on gender and gender differences, see this article.

Leukeran can cause mild to serious side effects. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment. Ask questions to help you feel more comfortable about the side effects of the medicine. Here are some examples to get you started:

Which serious side effect is most common?

If Leukeran Cures Cancer, Why Cancer Has A Side Effect?

If I have severe side effects, does that mean Leukeran is not working well for me?

Does having kidney problems increase my risk of side effects?

Disclaimer: HealthLine has made every effort to ensure that all information is in fact accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The medication information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, instructions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or combination of drugs is safe, effective, or suitable for all patients or all specific uses.