Cladribine is a chemotherapeutic substance that prevents the production of new DNA and therefore eliminates cells that divide to multiply and grow, as with cancer cells, so this drug is used to treat cancer cases, especially leukemia.
Although it has a great effect on slowing the development of cancer, this drug also eliminates other healthy cells that multiply frequently, such as hair cells and certain blood cells, causing side effects such as hair loss or anemia.
- This medicine can only be used in the hospital as a chemotherapy drug for cancer and therefore cannot be purchased from conventional pharmacies.
Cladribine is indicated for the treatment of hair cell leukemia, also called tricaukaemia.
Cladribine can only be used in the hospital by a team of doctors and nurses who specialize in treating cancer.
However, in most cases the treatment is carried out by means of a single cycle of cladribine, carried out by continuous injection into a vein, for 7 consecutive days, at a dose of 0.09 mg / kg / day, so during this period is necessary to stay in hospital.
Cladribine doses can be adjusted, but only after rigorous evaluation by an oncologist.
Some of the most common side effects of cladribine use include anemia, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, headache, increased heart rate, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, purple spots on the skin., muscle and joint pains, excessive fatigue and chills.
Cladribine is contraindicated for pregnant women, nursing mothers and people allergic to any component of the formula.