High Alert
Absorption: IV administration results in complete bioavailability. 40% absorbed following oral administration.
Distribution: Extensively distributed to body tissues; penetrates into CSF.
Half-Life: 24 hr.
Contraindicated in:
Current malignancy (oral)
;Pregnancy
;Use Cautiously in:
CV: edema, HF, hypertension, tachycardia
Derm: rash, alopecia, erythema, petechiae, pruritus, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME, sweating, TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS
EENT: epistaxis
GI: anorexia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, HEPATOTOXICITY
Hemat: anemia lymphopenia
thrombocytopenia
Local: injection site reactions, phlebitis, thrombosis
MS: arthralgia, myalgia
Neuro: fatigue, headache, depression, dizziness, insomnia, malaise, PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY (PML), SEIZURES, weakness
Resp: abnormal breath sounds, cough, dyspnea
Misc: fever, hypersensitivity reactions (including angioedema), infection, chills, MALIGNANCY
Drug-drug:
Drug-Natural Products:
Hairy Cell Leukemia
Multiple Sclerosis
Monitor for bone marrow depression. Assess for fever, chills, sore throat, and signs of infection. Monitor platelet count throughout therapy. Assess for bleeding (bleeding gums; bruising; petechiae; test stool, urine, and emesis for blood). Avoid administering IM injections and taking rectal temperatures. Apply pressure to venipuncture site for 10 min. Anemia may occur. Monitor for ↑ fatigue and dyspnea.
Lab Test Considerations:
Verify negative pregnancy test before starting each course of therapy.
Monitor CD4 T-lymphocyte count and CD8 T-lymphocyte count before initiation of therapy and periodically during and after therapy. Cladribine causes prolonged depression of CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subset counts, with recovery taking at least 612 mo.Monitor CBC with differential, lymphocyte, and platelet counts before 1st and 2nd course, 2 and 6 mo after start of treatment in each course, and periodically during therapy. Lymphocytes must be within normal limits before starting first course of therapy and at least 800 cells/microliter before starting second course of therapy. May delay the second course of therapy for up to 6 mo to allow for recovery of lymphocytes to >800 cells/microliter. If recovery takes >6 mo, patient should not receive further therapy. If lymphocyte count at Month 2 is <200 cells/m3, monitor monthly until Month 6. If during the 1st 2 wk after therapy, platelet counts, ANC, and hemoglobin ↓, transfusions of platelets and RBCs may be required. Platelet count, ANC, and hemoglobin usually return to normal levels by day 12, wk 5, and wk 8, respectively.
Toxicity and Overdose:
May cause irreversible neurologic toxicity, resulting in motor weakness progressing to paraparesis or quadriparesis, as well as nephrotoxicity with high doses. If symptoms occur, discontinue cladribine. There is no known antidote.
Administer under supervision of a physician experienced in use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
IV Administration:
Instruct patient to notify health care provider promptly in the event of fever; sore throat; signs of infection (fever; loss of appetite; aching, painful muscles; burning, tingling, numbness, or itchiness of the skin in affected area; headache; skin blotches, blistered rash, and severe pain; feeling unwell); bleeding gums; bruising; petechiae; blood in urine, stool, or emesis; unusual swelling; joint pain; shortness of breath; or confusion. Caution patient to avoid crowds and persons with known infections. Instruct patient to use soft toothbrush and electric razor and to be especially careful to avoid falls. Patients should also be cautioned not to drink alcoholic beverages or to take products containing aspirin or NSAIDs because these may precipitate GI hemorrhage.
Inform patient that cladribine may ↑ the risk of malignancies. Instruct patients to follow standard cancer-screening guidelines.
May cause fetal harm. Advise women of reproductive potential and men with a female partner of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for ≥6 mo after last dose. Advise women to avoid breastfeeding for 10 days after last dose.
NDC Code