Chlorambucil is a chemotherapy treatment used to treat cancers of the ovaries, lymph (fluid that carries white blood cells) and blood (leukemia). It can also treat nephrotic syndrome (kidney disorder) and uterine fibroids. According to Drugs.com, it arrests the growth of cancer cells, subsequently destroying them. The usual dosage is 4 to 10 milligrams daily for three to six weeks.
Routine Side Effects
Chemotherapy medications are inherently toxic and cause expected bodily reactions. Routinely, you may experience diarrhea, poor appetite and unintentional weight loss. Chlorambucil, specifically, can also cause cause black-colored stools and bloody urine. In some cases, it can lead to pain in your back and during urination. Other prevalent side effects include fever, chills and a cough. Sometimes, it can wreak havoc on your blood cell production and cause thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts). This contributes to easy bruising and bleeding. Your doctor can help treat your symptoms, so inform her when you experience these side effects.
Critical Side Effects
Chlorambucil can cause such alarming symptoms as difficulty breathing, seizures, confusion and rash, says MedlinePlus. Other critical side effects include blisters in and around your mouth and extreme fatigue. Notify your physician right way, as these symptoms are potentially life threatening.
Miscellaneous Side Effects
Chlorambucil can affect your brain and spinal cord and cause tremors, agitation, lack of coordination and hallucinations (mental condition in which you see and hear things that are unreal). In some unfortunate cases, convulsions can also occur. According to the National Library of Medicine, these side effects are rare and can be reversed with discontinuation of chlorambucil.
This medication can lead to such rare and serious skin conditions as erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Itchy skin, blisters and fever characterize erythema multiforme. A purple rash, hives, blisters and shedding of your skin characterize Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Toxic epidermal necrosis is similar to Stevens-Johnson syndrome but the sloughing off of skin is typically widespread.
The National Library of Medicine also says that chlorambucil can lead to pulmonary fibrosis (condition where your lung tissues are replaced with scar tissue), hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and infertility.
Contraindications
You should not take chlorambucil if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to any of its components. Trouble breathing, skin rashes or swelling of your face, lips or throat can occur.
Drugs.com states that chlorambucil can affect your unborn baby in all trimesters of pregnancy. A miscarriage, developmental disorders and a stillborn baby are possible and unfortunate consequences. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant and she will determine if there is a safer chemotherapy drug to treat your medical condition.
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