Chlorambucil Tablets

Category: Alkylating agent / Anticancer drug
Form: Oral tablets

Uses:

• Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

• Management of Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

• Sometimes used in autoimmune disorders when other therapies fail.

• Occasionally used in other hematologic malignancies as part of combination therapy.

Mechanism of Action:

• Chlorambucil is an alkylating agent, which means it adds alkyl groups to DNA.

• This cross-links DNA strands, preventing DNA replication and transcription.

• As a result, it inhibits the growth and division of rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Administration:

• Taken orally, usually once daily, with or without food.

• Dosage depends on type of disease, patient’s weight, and blood counts.

• Often administered in cycles to allow the body to recover between doses.

Side Effects:

• Common: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue.

• Hematologic: low white blood cells (leukopenia), low platelets (thrombocytopenia), anemia.

• Other: hair thinning, mouth sores, skin rash.

• Rare but serious: bone marrow suppression, infections, liver toxicity, secondary cancers.

Precautions:

• Blood counts should be monitored regularly to prevent severe bone marrow suppression.

• Avoid during pregnancy or breastfeeding; the drug is teratogenic.

• Use cautiously in liver or kidney impairment.

• Patients should avoid infections and report fever or unusual bleeding promptly.

Summary:
Chlorambucil Tablets are an oral chemotherapy drug (alkylating agent) used mainly for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lymphomas, and certain autoimmune conditions. It works by cross-linking DNA to prevent cancer cell growth. While effective, it can cause bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal upset, and fatigue, so careful monitoring of blood counts and overall health is essential during therapy.