Treatment with fludarabine should be performed under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of cytotoxic agents.
When fludarabine is used, it is recommended that peripheral blood levels be periodically assessed for anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, carefully monitor serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, and closely monitor CNS functions to identify possible neurological disorders in a timely manner.
Oppression of the bone marrow is usually reversible. In fludarabine therapy, the greatest decrease in the number of neutrophils is observed on average 13 days (3-25 days) from the start of treatment, platelets - on average on day 16 (2-32 days).Myelosuppression can be expressed and have a cumulative character. Several cases of bone marrow hypoplasia or aplasia in adults with pancytopenia, sometimes fatal, have been described. The duration of clinically significant pancytopenia ranged from 2 months to 1 year. These episodes were detected in both treated and untreated patients.
Patients with an increased risk of developing opportunistic infections are recommended to conduct preventive therapy. On the background of fludarabine therapy, development of serious opportunistic infections, in some cases leading to death, was noted.
If further transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells is envisaged, caution should be exercised in the administration of fludarabine, which refers to cytotoxic substances.
Transfusion of non-irradiated blood to patients receiving fludarabine treatment, the development of the "graft versus host" reaction (the reaction of transfused immunocompetent lymphocytes against the host) was observed, which is associated with a high incidence of lethal outcomes. Patients in need of blood transfusion and receiving or receiving fludarabine, only irradiated blood should be transfused.
decay Syndrome tumor arising in the treatment fludarabine, was observed in patients with CLL, having a large tumor mass. As fludarabine can have a therapeutic effect at the first week of therapy, it is necessary to take precautions in patients with probable risk of developing this complication.
Regardless of the presence or absence of a history of autoimmune processes, and also from the results of sample Coombs exists the risk of life-threatening autoimmune reactions (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, pemphigus, Evans' syndrome) during or after treatment with fludarabine. A repeated hemolytic process is possible after the resumption of treatment with fludarabine. Patients receiving fludarabineshould be carefully observed for hemolysis. With the development of hemolysis, discontinuation of therapy is recommended. The most commonly used therapeutic measures for the treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia - Blood transfusion (irradiated) and glucocorticosteroids.
Men and women who have sex should take reliable methods of contraception during (and within 6 months after the end of) fludarabine treatment.
During and after treatment with fludarabine, vaccination with live vaccines should be avoided.
Most fludarabine-insensitive patients are also insensitive to chlorambucil.
Use only a clear and colorless solution that does not contain any visible solid particles. In case of damage to the container, the drug is not used.
The chemical and physical stability of the solution prepared for injection or infusion is maintained for 3 days at 25 ° C or in a refrigerator (2-8 ° C) when the concentrate is diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride solution for infusion or 5% dextrose solution for infusion. From the point of view of microbiological purity, the diluted solution should be used immediately, it is allowed to store dilute solution in the refrigerator (2-8 ° C) for no more than 24 hours.
When working with fludarabine, the rules for handling cytotoxic drugs should be observed. Avoid contact with solution! If the solution comes into contact with the skin, mucous membranes or eyes, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water.