What Is Cladribine?

Cladribine

Medication is important for the treatment and cure of patients. Being well-informed about the kind of medication that one is being given may allow the patient to have a smoother treatment. They will feel more comfortable taking the treatment and medication given to them. Cladribine is an important medication that may be used to treat certain types of cancer. Cladribine treats patients suffering from hairy cell leukemia (cancer of a particular white blood cell). Cladribine belongs to a category of medications known as purine analogs. It works by hindering the growth of cancer cells and working toward treating and ultimately curing cancer patients.

Cladribine Uses 

A patient may want to know more about Cladribine uses. A medication that may be used for different purposes, sometimes in combination with other medications, to offer the necessary treatment to the patient. There are also a handful of Cladribine uses. It may be beneficial to understand these Cladribine uses as it may help the patient understand the kind of medication they are being given. 

There are a handful of Cladribine uses. Cladribine may be used to treat patients who are suffering from hairy cell leukemia. Hairy cell leukemia is cancer of a type of white blood cell. Cladribine belongs to a category of medications called purine analogs and hinders the growth of cancer cells. 

Cladribine injection comes in liquid or solution form. It is injected intravenously or into the patient’s vein by a doctor or nurse. This will be given in a suitable medical facility. It is usually given slowly over seven days as a continuous intravenous injection. 

It may also be used to treat:

  1. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
  2. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  3. Langerhans cell histiocytosis
  4. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas
  5. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

Depending on the need, different kinds of Cladribine may assist in treating different kinds of patients. A patient must only avail of Cladribine uses in consultation with a doctor or suitable medical authority. 

Cladribine Side Effects 

A person taking Cladribine may experience some side effects or adverse effects. Every medication may have some side effects on a patient. This usually depends on their personal characteristics like age, weight, height, health issues they are facing, etc. There are also some Cladribine side effects that a patient should know about. Being familiar with Cladribine side effects or adverse effects helps a patient recognize a side effect faster and get the necessary medical assistance if that side effect gets more severe and before it worsens. 

Some Cladribine side effects or Cladribine adverse effects that a patient taking Cladribine should be accustomed to are: 

  1. Feeling nauseous
  2. Vomiting
  3. Upset stomach 
  4. Pain in stomach 
  5. Feeling constipated 
  6. Appetite loss 
  7. Rashes on skin
  8. Headache
  9. Increased sweating
  10. Pain, redness, swelling, or sores on the injection site 

Some side effects can be severe. If any of the following are experienced, call your doctor immediately:

  1. Paleness of skin
  2. Feeling tired
  3. Short breath
  4. Feeling dizzy
  5. Increased heart rate 

Cladribine may also cause other side effects. One may contact their doctor if you any unusual problems are experienced while using this medication. If the Cladribine side effects or adverse effects are very severe, a patient may have to be taken to an emergency room or a hospital. One may also try and contact a poison hotline for the same as they can provide trained professionals to deal with this kind of situation. One must remain level-headed and calm and deal with any severe Cladribine side effects or adverse effects in a relaxed manner.  

Cladribine’s Long-Term Side Effects

On undergoing treatment, a patient may face some side effects that may affect them over a period of time. These side effects are called long-term side effects. A patient may also experience some Cladribine long-term side effects. If these Cladribine long-term side effects continue to be bothersome, a patient should contact their doctor or medical authority as soon as possible. One may have to get some treatment for the same. The doctor or medical authority may even change the dosage amount or prescription that has been given.

Cladribine Price Or Cladribine Cost 

Cladribine or Cladribine cost may be significant for a person taking this medication. As healthcare prices have risen sharply in the last few years, especially with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, patients are paying ever more attention to the prices of treatments and medication, and this may be no less for Cladribine price. The cost of cancer treatments is also relatively high. As patients undergo more treatments, they may face bigger bills and more significant payments relating to the cancer treatment, medications they are taking, doctors they are consulting, and so forth. 

Cladribine price or Cladribine cost is:

  • 10mg Cladribine Injection, for Hospital, 10ml at Rs 9300/piece 

The Cladribine price or Cladribine cost may vary slightly if purchased from different pharmacies, but it will generally stay around this price. If a person may have any more questions regarding Cladribine’s price, they may consult their pharmacist, doctor, or medical authority that has given them the prescription for Cladribine.

Precautions To Take Before Being Given Cladribine:

A patient may take some precautions before they have given the Cladribine:

  1. Patients must inform their doctor of any medication besides Cladribine that they are taking
  2. Do be immunized or vaccinated without the approval of the doctor you are consulting for your treatment or a suitable medical authority when taking Cladribine
  3. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant
  4. Both men and women must use a suitable form of contraception and may consult their doctor about the same before taking Cladribine 
  5. Do not nurse a child or breastfeed while taking Cladribine

Taking the right kind of precautions will ensure that the risks that are taken during the treatment are minimal.

How Is Cladribine Administered To A Patient?

Different kinds of medication may have different methods of administration. Cladribine injection is administered to a patient in the necessary medical facility. The medication must be given to them under the supervision of medical staff or someone experienced in giving chemotherapy medication to patients for cancer treatment via injection. One must not take Cladribine injection on their own. Cladribine is generally given to a patient over a week as a continuous intravenous injection.

Injections may be preferred over tablets because the medication is put directly into the vein of the person. The medication may circulate the body of the patient with ease and avoids degradation that may occur in the stomach. The medication may also be adsorbed to a greater extent when it is injected in the vein of a person.

What Should A Patient Taking The Medication Stay Cautious About?

A patient should be cautious when taking any medication. They must also stay cautious of what could happen when taking Cladribine.

1. Blood cells may reduce 

Cladribine may lower the number of all the varying types of blood cells in the body of a patient, which may result in some symptoms. A patient may be at an elevated risk of developing an infection or bleeding. 

2. Nerve damage 

Cladribine may damage nerves in a person’s body. Signs of nerve damage can even show up one month after a Cladribine injection has been given to the patient. 

3. Kidney Problems

Cladribine can cause kidney impediments. One must inform their doctor or appropriate medical authority if they have been diagnosed with kidney disease. Your doctor and pharmacist must be informed in case aminoglycoside antibiotics are being taken and for what reason. 

Monitoring 

The doctor or concerned medical authority may monitor the patient closely from time to time. They may even perform blood work to determine if the treatment or medication works properly. The patient must cooperate during the treatment process and be aware that the doctor may want to carry out such texts and monitor them. This is for the patient’s own good and will lead to a much smoother treatment process. The doctor or medical authority can also observe any issues with treatment and side effects early on and address them efficiently in most situations, allowing the patient to be treated well, fast, and sometimes even completely cured.

Cladribine & Cancer

Cladribine is used for the treatment of some types of cancer. Cladribine is used in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia and other types of leukemia in some instances too. Cladribine inhibits the growth of the cancer cells, which collectively form a cancerous or malignant tumor. Tumors may be of two kinds- benign and malignant. Benign tumors expand slowly and have clearly defined borders. They do not invade any tissue near them or other parts of the body and hence are not harmful. Malignant tumors may rapidly grow, invading other body parts and hampering their function. Cladribine stops these harmful cells from doing so. 

What Should A Person Do In Case Of A Cladribine Overdose?

Cladribine is administered to the patient by appropriate medical authorities at a medical facility by trained medical professionals. Errors occur sometimes, and the patient may be given a higher dosage of Cladribine than necessary. Patients who overdose on Cladribine must be observed for symptoms immediately. If there are sudden and severe symptoms, the patient may be given the necessary assistance e taken to the emergency room of the medical facility or a nearby medical facility if the one they are at does not have it. One may also contact a poison control helpline in such a situation. The poison control hotline will be able [e to provide medical staff who may be able to deal with this situation. 

What Are The Signs Of An Overdose Of Cladribine?

One may show signs of the same in an overdose of Cladribine. These signs of overdose may help verify that an overdose has happened. The patient must avail of the right kind of medical assistance in case of an overdose, es; mainly if some severe effects of the overdose are observed. 

Some signs of an overdose of Cladribine are:

  1. Reduced urination
  2. Swelling of the person’s face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  3. Feeling tired or weak
  4. Observing bleeding or bruising that is unexplained 
  5. Stools that are black or bloody 
  6. Bloody vomit or vomited material that resembles coffee powder
  7. Fever, sore throat, feeling chills, or other signs of infection
  8. Feeling pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in hands or feet
  9. Arms or legs feeling weak 
  10. Loss of mobility in arms or legs

Can Women Who Are Currently Pregnant Or Nursing (Breastfeeding) Take Cladribine?

Cladribine may cause some adverse effects in women that are pregnant. It could impact fetal development because the medication may be passed from the mother to the child. It may also cause other issues related to pregnancy. For breastfeeding women, the Cladribine may pass into the milk the mother gives the child. The medication may be too strong for the child and could cause harm to them. Women are resultantly advised not to breastfeed while being given Cladribine and for six months after finishing treatment.

Would Medical & Dental Treatment Be Suitable For A Patient While Being Given Cladribine?

If a patient needs a treatment besides cancer treatment, they must inform their doctors or medical authority giving that treatment you are having cancer treatment. This may sometimes lead to a change in the treatment time and type of treatment or may stop the treatment of the patient until the cancer treatment has concluded. Suppose the patient being given Cladribine needs dental treatment. In that case, they may consult the medical authority affording them their cancer treatment as there could be complications relating to the same in some instances. Patients should also try avoiding procedures or activities that may make them bleed. Going to a dentist may be risky in that sense because dental treatments usually involve some area of the mouth bleeding like gums, etc. Dentists should be formed in advance if one has been undergoing cancer treatment.

What Kind Of Diet Shall I Have While Being Given Cladribine?

Patients may ask their doctor if they should have any specific diet while being given Cladribine. The diet they may be told to follow depends on their characteristics and the dose they are given. These personal characteristics may include height, weight, age, severity, type of health condition, etc. Unless advised by their doctor, a patient must continue to take their regular diet and not change it to suit their medication. A diet full of nutritious items may benefit anyone who consumes it, patient or not. Sp patients taking Cladribine may like to consider this option.

Chemotherapy Drugs 

There are different types of chemotherapy drugs. Drugs or medications that are used in chemotherapy when they are dividing are referred to as cell-cycle specific. Other chemotherapy drugs may only affect cells only when they are at rest. This kind of chemotherapy medication is referred to as cell-cycle non-specific medication. The chemotherapy sessions for the patients may be scheduled at certain times. The scheduling of these chemotherapy sessions is based on the kind of cells, the rate at which those kinds of cells divide, and the time at which a given drug is going to be most effective. This is why breaks may be needed between sessions, and chemotherapy sessions are done in cycles. This may have the maximum possible effect on the cancerous cells of the malignant tumor as much as possible. 

Harmful Effects Of Chemotherapy Drugs 

While chemotherapy drugs like Cladribine may help treat cancer by slowing down or completely stopping the growth of harmful cancer cells, it may be important to know that chemotherapy cannot differentiate between expected cells and harmful cells cancerous. Even though chemotherapy drugs like Cladribine may help kill cells that are rapidly dividing, and the normal cells may eventually grow back and function normally, some side effects of the drug may be experienced, which may differ for different patients. This may not only show up in the person’s physical attributes but may reduce their quality of life and cause further complications. Cells more likely to be impacted by chemotherapy medication are in regions like the mouth, stomach, bowel, hair follicles. This may result in low blood counts, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, and hair or scalp. Patients may be affected differently depending on the type of medication and their characteristics like age, weight, height, etc.

What Contacts Must A Patient Keep?

One must keep the necessary contacts related to the treatment they are receiving and the doctor giving them the prescription to take Cladribine. These contacts may be useful and help if any emergency, side effect or reaction to the treatment or medication occurs. The patient may also note and keep the number of poison control hotlines that may be able to assist with an overdose or side effect of the medicine, and the other contacts of the patient are not reachable at the time. They can also provide faster services in these situations as they have all the facilities and staff to deal with issues like overdoses or reactions to medications. 

How Should Cladribine Be Stored?

 Medication must be stored properly, and one may like to know how this may be done for the medication they are taking. In the case of Cladribine, the medication is administered to the necessary patient at the medical facility itself. The medication will therefore be stored at a medical facility or pharmacist. A patient must, therefore, note that they are not allowed to store this medication at home and may only bring it to a doctor to be administered in the right way if necessary. 

What Are Some Other Names Cladribine Could Be Referred By?

It may be a good idea for a patient to know alternate names for a medication they may be taking, being administered, or purchasing. This is because different names could refer to it during treatment or while purchasing the medication. Knowing the alternative medication names may help avoid confusion and create a smoother treatment process for the patient. The brand name of Cladribine is Leustatin. Other names it could be referred to may be 2-CdA, 2-Chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine, CdA, and Chlorodeoxyadenosine.

What Other Information Should I Know? 

There may be some additional information a patient may like to keep in mind when taking Cladribine. A patient may be receiving some other kind of treatment for which they may be taking some medication or undergoing a particular kind of treatment that may lead to a reaction to Cladribine. The patient should make and keep a list of all the medications they take and treatments they are going through. They shall try and inform the doctor about these medicines or treatments. This may lead to a change in the dosage of Cladribine, prescription, or even change in the medication or route of treatment for that patient entirely. 

Cancer Recurrence

Sometimes, the treatment using Cladribine may be successful. In other instances, it may not be successful, or the treatment would work, and the cancer may appear again after some time. This may even occur years later and is called cancer recurrence. In this case, the patient may undergo chemotherapy and cancer treatment all over again, which could be successful or unsuccessful. It should be noted that some types of cancer have higher chances of recurrence concerning other kinds of cancer. Cancer recurrence chances are also higher if the cancer has progressed further than the previous time. The cancer recurrence can also occur in the same region of the body where the previous tumor was found or on a different body part where it had not previously been detected.  

Conclusion

Understanding what medication one takes is a good idea, even if a patient is not a trained professional. In the treatment of a patient, different elements such as the doctor, patient, Other medical staff, medical facilities, and medication come together to be able to treat and sometimes cure the patient properly. The patient may play their role in their treatment using Cladribine by staying aware of any side effects and informing themselves about the price and other aspects of the medicine. Proper use of and treatment using Cladribine may lead to proper treatment meant for the patient for their health impediment, and in the best case scenario, cure from it too. Cladribine may resultantly not only help treat and alleviate symptoms of their health issue but may even save the life of the concerned patient. The high cost of cancer treatments in general, including chemotherapy drugs, can place a financial burden on individuals and their families. In such cases, crowdfunding can be a great tool to help alleviate the cost of cancer treatment.