Advances in Treatment of Non-Responsive Leukemia: Fludarabine Phosphate Injections

If you are struggling with the treatment needed in your leukemia treatment, there may be some new treatment options available to you. For patients who are experiencing a progression in leukemia, despite the treatment, the FDA has recently approved a new drug that may improve your health outcomes.

The Fludarabine Phosphate injection, approved by the FDA, manufactured by Parenta Pharmaceuticals, is providing new hope to leukemia patients. With FDA approval, this new injection is administered intravenously, in a 30 minute dosing period.

As a Category D prescription drug, Fludarabine Phosphate injections are not indicated in the treatment of leukemia in women who are pregnant, or may become pregnant. In addition, the use of this new FDA approved injection is not approved for women who are breastfeeding or in children who suffer from leukemia complications.

As with any FDA approved drug, the use of Fludarabine Phosphate injection, in the treatment of non-responsive leukemia, will come with some side effects. Most notably, in patients with renal failure or in patients with complications associated with anemia, dosing of Fludarabine Phosphate should be considered carefully and, if necessary, reduced.

Fever, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and even malaise or fatigue are quite common when patients with leukemia are administered Fludarabine Phosphate by IV. However, like most forms of leukemia treatment, these side effects and complications are no different than that of any other form of treatment.

Because Fludarabine Phosphate injections have been approved by the FDA, many leukemia patients are expected to inquire about the use of this drug as part of their treatment program. Before doing so, however, consult with your physician about the potential complications that may arise from prolonged, or long term doses, or in complications associated with dosing that is too high. Because irreversible central nervous system complications are possible, including the risk for coma and death, your physician may wish to initiate this form of leukemia treatment in a lower dose, initially.