Fludara
Fludarabine
Chemical compound
Fludarabine is a purine analogue and antineoplastic agent. It is generally used as its 5-O-phosphorylated form known as fludarabine phosphate, sold under the brand name Fludara among others. It is a chemotherapy medication used in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma.[3] These include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphocytic leukemia.[3] It is given by injection into a vein or by mouth.[3]
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, fever, rash, shortness of breath, numbness, vision changes, and feeling tired.[3] Severe side effects include brain dysfunction, low blood cell counts, and lung inflammation.[3] Use in pregnancy will likely result in harm to the fetus.[3] Fludarabine is in the purine analog family of medications and works by interfering with the duplication of DNA.[3][4]
Fludarabine was approved for medical use in the United States in 1991.[3] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[5]