2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine

2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine goes by the trade name of Leustatin and sometimes referred to as 2-CdA or Cladribine. Cladribine is an anti cancer drug or a cytotoxic drug administered during chemotherapy.

2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine is used to treat hairy cell leukemia, CLL or chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine is administered in the vein by infusion for an hour or two every consecutive days and this can go on for several days depending upon the stage of cancer. This drug does not come in the pill form and the amount that is administered depends upon other factors like your weight, height, body ailments and the stage and type of cancer.

What are the side effects associated with this drug?

As such there are no side effects to mention about but then it has been noticed that there are some side effects at the onset of the treatment and these side effects lasts till the end of the treatment cycle. It has also been noticed that the side effects are reversible and disappear after the end of the treatment cycle. The side effects may be due to the other medications that are administered along with this medication. Side effects of this drug depends upon the dosage and higher the dose the more severe the side effects.

Sometimes it has been noticed that the patient complains of fever which subsides with the continuation of the treatment cycle, there is a low count of white blood cells and low blood cells which leads to anemia and puts you at the risk of other body infections.

Like all chemotherapy drugs the common side effects associated with this drug is there are complaints of vomiting, nausea, chills, loss of appetite, skin rashes, mild to severe headaches, decrease in the platelet counts, constipation, cough etc. There is also a risk of your being prone to infection for at least a year after undergoing this mode of treatment.

A word of precaution is that you need to consult your doctor when you have persistent fever followed by chills, or get easily fatigued, vomiting, bleeding, blood in the stool and urine etc.

Some of the precautionary methods are: Consult your doctor and tell him about all your bodily ailments and the medications that you are presently on which includes all oral supplements be it herbal or otherwise, vitamin supplements, avoid getting yourself immunized or vaccinated, pregnancy should be strictly avoided as this mode of treatment is harmful to the fetus, breast feeding should be avoided.

Some self help tips

Anti nausea medicines help relieve nausea, eat smaller amounts at regular intervals, increase fluid intake, avoid crowded places as your immune system is weak and you are prone to infections, maintain a good nutritious diet and hygiene, avoid alcohol and contact sports as injuries leads to bleeding. Get your blood check-up done regularly so as to monitor your internal body functioning.

Cladribine is used as a chemotherapy drug and belongs to the group of antimetabolites which are known to attack cancerous cells in a particular chemo cycle. These are known to destroy the cancerous cells and shrink the growth of the tumor. Apart from this Cladribine is also known to destroy those normal cells that surround the cancerous cells which lead to temporary side effects like low immune system, low blood count, and mouth sores etc.