Cladribine may rarely increase your risk of getting cancer. Do not take this medication if you have cancer. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor if you have had cancer in the past or are at increased risk for cancer. Talk to your doctor about getting regularly screened for cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as a change in size/color of a mole, unusual skin changes, new lumps/growths, night sweats, or unexplained/sudden weight loss. Ask your doctor for more details. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor will order a pregnancy test before you start this medication. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication and for at least 6 months after each treatment course. Men and women using this medication must use reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. If you or your partner become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
Nausea, headache, back pain, or stomach/abdominal pain may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine). This medication decreases bone marrow function, an effect that may lead to a low number of blood cells such as red cells, white cells, and platelets. This effect can cause anemia, decrease your body's ability to fight an infection, or cause easy bruising/bleeding. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: unusual tiredness, pale skin, signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, painful rash/sores, frequent/painful urination), easy bruising/bleeding. This medication may increase your risk of getting a rare but very serious (possibly fatal) brain infection (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy-PML). Get medical help right away if you have any of these side effects: clumsiness, loss of coordination/balance, weakness, sudden change in your thinking (such as confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory loss), difficulty talking/walking, seizure, vision changes. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: shortness of breath, fast/irregular heartbeat, swelling of the ankles/feet. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Some products that may interact with this drug are: other drugs that weaken the immune system/increase the risk of infection (such as cyclosporine, natalizumab, rituximab, drugs to treat cancer like irinotecan).