Chlorambucil

It is a very slow acng alkylating agent, especially active on lymphoid tissue; myeloid tissue is largelyspared. It is the drug of choice for long term maintenance therapy for chronic lymphatic leukemia; Hodgkin’s disease and some solid tumours also resolve.

Indications

Advanced ovarian adeno-Carcinoma, breast cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, certain forms of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Waldenstram’s macroglobinaemia.

Dosage

4-10 mg (0.1-0.2 mg/kg) daily for 3-6 ks than 2 mg daily for maintenance.

Contra-Indications

Hypersensitivity, lactation demonstrated resistant to the agent.

Special Precautions

Altered fertility. Haematological monitoring, lymphocytic infiltration. Carcinogenic potential. Paediatrics: Not recommended in infants. Pregnancy: Safety not established. Lactation: Safety not established. Elderly: No special precautions.

Side Effects

Hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, cystitis, seizures. Pulmonary firosis. fever.

Drug Interactions

Potentiation of other myelosuppressive agents. Phenylbutaone and warfarin potentiate the effect of chlorambucil.