View source for Chlorambucil

{{Drugbox|
|IUPAC_name = 4-[bis(2-chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid
| image=Chlorambucil.svg
| CAS_number= 305-03-3
| ATC_prefix= L01
| ATC_suffix= AA02
| PubChem= 2708
| DrugBank= APRD00115
| C = 14 | H = 19 | Cl = 2 | N = 1 | O = 2
| molecular_weight = 304.212 g/mol
| bioavailability= ?
| metabolism = [[Liver|Hepatic]]
| elimination_half-life= 1.5 hours
| excretion = N/A
| pregnancy_AU = 
| pregnancy_US = D
| pregnancy_category = 
| legal_status = Rx-only
| routes_of_administration= Oral
}}
{{SI}}
{{EH}}

:For patient information, click [[Chlorambucil (patient information)|here]]
==Overview==

'''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 antineoplastic agent|alkylating agent]] and can be given orally.

In the past, it has been used for treating some types of [[lymphoma|non-Hodgkin lymphoma]], [[Waldenström macroglobulinemia]], [[polycythemia vera]], [[trophoblastic neoplasms]], [[ovarian carcinoma]].  It also has been used as an [[immunosuppressive drug]] for various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, e.g. [[nephrotic syndrome]].  Its current use is mainly for CLL as it is well tolerated by most patients, though this has been primarily replaced by [[fludarabine]].<ref>{{cite journal | author=Rai KR, Peterson BL, Appelbaum FR, Kolitz J, Elias L, Shepherd L, Hines J, Threatte GA, Larson RA, Cheson BD, Schiffer CA | title=Fludarabine compared with chlorambucil as primary therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. | journal=N Engl J Med | year=2000 | pages=1750-7 | volume=343 | issue=24  | id=PMID 11114313}}</ref>

==Side Effects==
The [[International Agency for Research on Cancer|IARC]] has found strong evidence that chlorambucil is itself a cancer agent, and listed it as such in its list 1.

[[Myelosuppression]] ([[anemia]], [[neutropenia]], [[thrombocytopenia]]), or bone marrow suppression is the most commonly occurring side effect of chlorambucil. Withdrawn from the drug, this side effect may be reversible, but bone marrow failure can occur in rare cases.

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

==References==
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>

== External links ==
* [http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_leukeran.pdf Leukeran] (manufacturer's website)
* [http://www.meds-help.com/chlorambucil/ Chlorambucil] (patient information)
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682899.html MedlinePlus's Drug Information]


{{Chemotherapeutic agents}}
{{SIB}}
[[Category:Chemotherapeutic agents]]

[[pl:Chlorambucyl]]
[[ru:Хлорамбуцил]]

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