Chlorambucil

Chlorambucil

File:Chlorambucil.svg
Systematic (IUPAC) name
4-[bis(2-chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid
Clinical data
Pregnancy category	US: D (Evidence of risk)
Routes of administration	Oral
Legal status
Legal status	℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	Hepatic
Biological half-life	1.5 hours
Excretion	N/A
Identifiers
CAS Number	305-03-3
ATC code	L01AA02 (WHO)
PubChem	CID 2708
DrugBank	APRD00115
ChemSpider	2607
Chemical data
Formula	C14H19Cl2NO2
Molar mass	304.212 g/mol[[]]
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Chlorambucil (marketed as Leukeran by GlaxoSmithKline) is a chemotherapy drug that has been mainly used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It is a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent and can be given orally.

In the past, chlorambucil has been used for treating some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, polycythemia vera, trophoblastic neoplasms, and ovarian carcinoma. It also has been used as an immunosuppressive drug for various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as nephrotic syndrome. Its current use is mainly in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as it is well tolerated by most patients, though chlorambucil has been largely replaced by fludarabine as first-line treatment in younger patients.

Side Effects

Bone marrow suppression (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia) is the most commonly occurring side effect of chlorambucil. Withdrawn from the drug, this side effect is typically reversible. Like many alkylating agents, chlorambucil has been associated with the development of other forms of cancer.

Less commonly occurring side effects include:

• Gastrointestinal Distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and oral ulcerations).
• Central Nervous System: Seizures, tremors, muscular twitching, confusion, agitation, ataxia, and hallucinations.
• Skin reactions
• Hepatotoxicity
• Infertility

External links

• Leukeran (manufacturer's website)
• Chlorambucil (patient information)
• MedlinePlus's Drug Information

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