Nursing Drug Reference & Checker

💊

Nursing Drug Reference & Checker

FDA labels · Drug interactions · Beers Criteria · NIOSH 2024 · RxNorm · v3.0.0

🔒 No data stored AGS Beers 2023 NIOSH 2024
🔍
Drug Reference Lookup
FDA label · Alerts · Nursing considerations · Beers · NIOSH
Used for Beers Criteria (65+) across both panels.
Type 2+ letters for RxNorm autocomplete suggestions.

💊 CLADRIBINE

☠ BLACK BOX WARNING
Generic: CLADRIBINE
ORAL FDA Label
☠
FDA BLACK BOX WARNING

WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND RISK OF TERATOGENICITY Malignancies Treatment with cladribine tablets may increase the risk of malignancy. Cladribine tablets are contraindicated in patients with current malignancy. In patients with prior malignancy or with increased risk of malignancy, evaluate the benefi…

⚗
NIOSH 2024 HAZARDOUS DRUG — Table 1

Requires double chemotherapy gloves, gown, and eye protection. May require negative pressure compounding. Full USP <800> compliance required.

Full NIOSH entry →
Quick reference
RouteORAL
ManufacturerApotex Corp.
SourceFDA Label
✅ Indications & Usage ›

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Cladribine tablets are indicated for the treatment of relapsing form of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease in adults. Because of its safety profile, use of cladribine tablets is generally recommended for patients who have had an inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, an alternate drug indicated for the treatment of MS [ see Warnings and Precautions (5) ]. Limitations of Use Cladribine tablets are not recommended for use in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) because of its safety profile [ see Warnings and Precautions (5) ]. Cladribine tablets are purine antimetabolite indicated for the treatment of relapsing form of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease in adults. Because of its safety profile, use of cladribine tablets are generally recommended for patients who have had an inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, an alternate drug indicated for the treatment of MS. ( 1 , 5 ) Limitations of Use Cladribine tablets are not recommended for use in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) because of its safety profile. ( 1 , 5 )

💉 Dosage & Administration ›

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Assessments are required prior to starting each cladribine treatment course. (2.1) Cumulative dosage of 3.5 mg/kg administered orally and divided into 2 treatment courses (1.75 mg/kg per treatment course). Each treatment course is divided into 2 treatment cycles. (2.2) Cladribine tablets are a cytotoxic drug. (2.4) Separate administration from any other oral drug by at least 3 hours. (2.4)

2.1 Assessments Prior to Starting Each Cladribine Treatment Course Cancer Screening Follow standard cancer screening guidelines because of the risk of malignancies [ see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Pregnancy Exclude pregnancy prior to treatment with cladribine tablets in females of reproductive potential [ see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) , and Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3) ]. Complete Blood Count (CBC) Obtain a CBC with differential including lymphocyte count [ see Dosage and Administration (2.5) and Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Lymphocytes must be: within normal limits before initiating the first treatment course at least 800 cells per microliter before initiating the second treatment course If necessary, delay the second treatment course for up to 6 months to allow for recovery of lymphocytes to at least 800 cells per microliter. If this recovery takes more than 6 months, the patient should not receive further treatment with cladribine tablets. Infections [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Exclude HIV infection. Perform tuberculosis screening. Screen for hepatitis B and C. Evaluate for acute infection. Consider a delay in cladribine treatment until any acute infection is fully controlled. Vaccination of patients who are seronegative for VZV is recommended prior to initiation of cladribine tablets. Vaccination of patients who are seropositive to VZV is recommended with zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted. Patients may be administered zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted at any ti... [See full FDA label]

🚫 Contraindications ›

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Cladribine tablets are contraindicated: in patients with current malignancy [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . in pregnant women and in women and men of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception during cladribine tablets dosing and for 6 months after the last dose in each treatment course. May cause fetal harm [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3 )]. in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. in patients with active chronic infections (e.g., hepatitis or tuberculosis) [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cladribine [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ]. in women intending to breastfeed on a cladribine treatment day and for 10 days after the last dose [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.2) ]. Patients with current malignancy. (4) Pregnant women, and women and men of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception during cladribine tablets dosing and for 6 months after the last dose in each treatment course. (4, 8.3) HIV infection. (4) Active chronic infections (e.g., hepatitis or tuberculosis). (4) History of hypersensitivity to cladribine. (4, 5.8) Women intending to breastfeed on a cladribine treatment day and for 10 days after the last dose. (4, 8.2)

⚠️ Warnings & Precautions ›

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Lymphopenia: Monitor lymphocyte counts before, during and after treatment. (5.3) Infections: Serious, including life-threatening and fatal infections, have occurred. Screen patients for active and latent infections; delay treatment until infection is fully resolved or controlled. Vaccination of patients seronegative to varicella zoster virus (VZV) is recommended prior to treatment. Vaccination of patients seropositive to VZV with zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted, is recommended prior to or during treatment. Administer anti-herpes prophylaxis in patients with lymphocyte counts less than 200 cells per microliter. Monitor for infections. (5.4) Hematologic toxicity: Monitor complete blood count before, during and after treatment. (5.5) Graft-versus-host-disease with blood transfusion: Irradiation of cellular blood components is recommended. (5.6) Liver injury: Clinically significant liver injury has occurred. Obtain tests prior to treatment. Discontinue if clinically significant injury is suspected. (5.7)

5.1 Malignancies Treatment with cladribine tablets may increase the risk of malignancy. In controlled and extension clinical studies worldwide, malignancies occurred more frequently in cladribine-treated patients [10 events in 3,754 patient-years (0.27 events per 100 patient-years)], compared to placebo patients [3 events in 2,275 patient-years (0.13 events per 100 patient-years)]. Malignancy cases in cladribine patients included metastatic pancreatic carcinoma, malignant melanoma (2 cases), ovarian cancer, compared to malignancy cases in placebo patients, all of which were curable by surgical resection [basal cell carcinoma, cervical carcinoma in situ (2 cases)]. The incidence of malignancies in United States cladribine clinical study patients was higher than the rest of the world [4 events in 189 patient-years (2.21 events per 100 patient-years) compared to 0 events in United States placebo patients]; however, the United States result... [See full FDA label]

🔴 Adverse Reactions ›

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions and potential risks are discussed, or discussed in greater detail, in other sections of the labeling: Malignancies [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Risk of Teratogenicity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Lymphopenia [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Infections [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hematologic Toxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Graft-Versus-Host Disease With Blood Transfusion [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Liver Injury [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Hypersensitivity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Cardiac Failure [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence > 20%) are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and lymphopenia. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex Corp. at 1-800-706-5575 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In the clinical trial program of cladribine in MS, 1,976 patients received cladribine for a total of 9,509 patient years. The mean time on study including follow-up was approximately 4.8 years, and approximately 24% of cladribine-treated patients had approximately 8 years of time on study including follow-up. Of these, 923 patients aged 18 to 66 years received cladribine as monotherapy at a cumulative dose of 3.5 mg per kg. Table 2 shows adverse reactions in Study 1 [ see Clinical Studies (14) ] with an incidence of at least 5% for cladribine and higher than placebo. The most common (> 20%) adverse reactions reported in Study 1 are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and lymphopenia. Table 2 Adverse Reactions in Study 1 with an Incidence of at Least ... [See full FDA label]

💊 Drug Interactions ›

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 3 Drug Interactions with cladribine tablets

7.1 Immunomodulatory, Immunosuppressive, or Myelosuppressive Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of cladribine with immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive, or myelosuppressive drugs may increase the risk of adverse reactions because of the additive effects on the immune system [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )]. Prevention or Management Concomitant use with myelosuppressive or other immunosuppressive drugs is not recommended. Acute short-term therapy with corticosteroids can be administered. In patients who have previously been treated with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive drugs, consider potential additive effect, the mode of action, and duration of effect of the other drugs prior to initiation of cladribine.

7.2 Interferon-Beta Clinical Impact Concomitant use of cladribine with interferon-beta did not change the exposure of cladribine to a clinically significant effect; however, lymphopenia risk may be increased [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Prevention or Management Concomitant use is not recommended.

7.3 Hematotoxic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of cladribine with hematotoxic drugs may increase the risk of adverse reactions because of the additive hematological effects [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. Prevention or Management Monitor hematological parameters.

7.4 Antiviral and Antiretroviral Drugs Clinical Impact Compounds that require intracellular phosphorylation to become active (e.g., lamivudine, zalcitabine, ribavirin, stavudine, and zidovudine) could interfere with the intracellular phosphorylation and activity of cladribine. Prevention or Management Avoid concomitant use.

7.5 Potent ENT, CNT and BCRP Transporter Inhibitors Clinical Impact Cladribine is a substrate of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), equilibrative nucleoside (ENT1), and concentrative nucleoside (CNT3) transport proteins. The bioavailability, intracellular distribution, and renal el... [See full FDA label]

🤰 Pregnancy ›

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Cladribine tablets are contraindicated in pregnant women and in females and males of reproductive potential who do not plan to use effective contraception. There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with use of cladribine in pregnant women. Cladribine was embryolethal when administered to pregnant mice and produced malformations in mice and rabbits [ see Data ]. The observed developmental effects are consistent with the effects of cladribine on DNA [ see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Data Animal Data When cladribine was administered intravenously (0, 0.5, 1.5, or 3 mg/kg/day) to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis, fetal growth retardation and malformations (including exencephaly and cleft palate) and embryofetal death were observed at the highest dose tested. An increase in skeletal variations was observed at all but the lowest dose tested. There was no evidence of maternal toxicity. When cladribine was administered intravenously (0, 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis, fetal growth retardation and a high incidence of craniofacial and limb malformations were observed at the highest dose tested, in the absence of maternal toxicity. When cladribine was administered intravenously (0, 0.5, 1.5, or 3 mg/kg/day) to mice throughout pregnancy and lactation, skeletal anomalies and embryolethality were observed at all but the lowest dose tested.

👶 Pediatric Use ›

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients (below 18 years of age) have not been established. Use of cladribine is not recommended in pediatric patients because of the risk of malignancies [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

👴 Geriatric Use ›

8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies with cladribine did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Caution is recommended when cladribine is used in elderly patients, taking into account the potential greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, concomitant diseases, and other drug therapy.

🔬 Mechanism of Action ›

12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism by which cladribine exerts its therapeutic effects in patients with multiple sclerosis has not been fully elucidated but is thought to involve cytotoxic effects on B and T lymphocytes through impairment of DNA synthesis, resulting in depletion of lymphocytes.

📊 Pharmacokinetics ›

12.3 Pharmacokinetics Cladribine is a prodrug that becomes active upon phosphorylation to its 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine triphosphate (Cd-ATP) metabolite. The pharmacokinetic parameters presented below were assessed following oral administration of cladribine 10 mg, unless otherwise specified. The cladribine mean maximum concentration (C max ) was in the range of 22 to 29 ng/ mL and corresponding mean AUC was in the range of 80 to 101 ng • h/mL. The C max and AUC of cladribine increased proportionally across a dose range from 3 to 20 mg. No accumulation of cladribine concentration in plasma was observed after repeated dosing. Absorption The bioavailability of cladribine was approximately 40%. Following fasted administration of cladribine, the median time to maximum concentration (T max ) was 0.5 h (range 0.5 to 1.5 hours). Effect of Food Following administration of cladribine with a high fat meal, the geometric mean C max decreased by 29% and AUC was unchanged. The T max was prolonged to 1.5 hours (range 1 to 3 hours). This difference is not expected to be clinically significant. Distribution Cladribine mean apparent volume of distribution ranges from 480 to 490 liters. The plasma protein binding of cladribine is 20% and is independent of concentration, in vitro . Intracellular concentrations of cladribine and/or its metabolites in human lymphocytes were approximately 30 to 40 times extracellular, in vitro . Cladribine has the potential to penetrate the blood brain barrier. A cerebrospinal fluid/plasma concentration ratio of approximately 0.25 was observed in cancer patients. Elimination Cladribine estimated terminal half-life is approximately 1 day. The intracellular half-life of the cladribine phosphorylated metabolites cladribine monophosphate (Cd-AMP) is 15 hours and Cd- ATP is 10 hours. Cladribine estimated median apparent renal clearance is 22.2 liter per hour and non-renal clearance is 23.4 liter per hour. Metabolism Cladribine is a prodrug that is phosphorylated ... [See full FDA label]

☠️ Overdosage ›

10 OVERDOSAGE There is no experience with overdose of cladribine tablets. Lymphopenia is known to be dose- dependent. Particularly close monitoring of hematological parameters is recommended in patients who have been exposed to an overdose of cladribine tablets [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3, 5.5) ]. There is no known specific antidote to an overdose of cladribine tablets. Treatment consists of careful observation and initiation of appropriate supportive measures. Discontinuation of cladribine tablets may need to be considered. Because of the rapid and extensive intracellular and tissue distribution, hemodialysis is unlikely to eliminate cladribine to a significant extent.

Safety & related tools: ⚕ Beers Criteria 💊 Pill Identifier 🚨 Drug Recalls 🔤 SNOMED 🧮 Calculators
⚡
Medication Checker
Interactions · Beers · MAR paste · Up to 20 meds
Build list Paste MAR
Paste directly from MAR. One medication per line. Doses and frequencies are stripped automatically.