POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL
About
POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL belongs to a group of classes known as antineoplastic. It is an anticancer medicine used to treat blood cancer and lymphatic system cancer. Blood cancer is a disease in which the number of white blood cells (WBCs) is increased mainly in the bone marrow and blood. Lymphatic system cancer (lymphoma) is a disease including abnormal growth of lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infection) in lymph nodes and other tissues.
POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL consists of ‘Polymyxin B and Chlorambucil’ used to treat Hodgkin's disease and Non- Hodgkin's, lymphoma (cancer in the lymphatic system), Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (blood cancer). Polymyxin B is bactericidal (kills bacteria) in nature, inhibiting bacterial cell wall formation required for their survival. Thus prevent the entry of unwanted substances into the cells and stops the leakage of cell contents. Chlorambucil belongs to a group of medicines called cytotoxics (also called chemotherapy). It works by reducing the number of abnormal cells your body makes.
Take POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical conditions. You may experience loss of appetite (feeling unwell and stomach upset), increased bleeding tendency, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting. Most of these side effects of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Before starting POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy, kidney disease, liver disease, injury on your legs, HIV or AIDS, high level of uric acid in your blood, and treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant because this POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL can cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. Both women and men using this POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL should use birth control to avoid pregnancy. The use of this POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL by either parent may result in birth defects. You should not take this POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL during breastfeeding, inform your doctor if you take POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL. POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL may increase the chances of other cancer. Inform your doctor about this risk.
Uses of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL
Medicinal Benefits
POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL is a combination of two drugs, namely; Polymyxin B and Chlorambucil used to treat some types of cancer and certain blood problems. Polymyxin B is bactericidal (kills bacteria) in nature, inhibiting bacterial cell wall formation required for their survival. Thus prevent the entry of unwanted substances into the cells and stops the leakage of cell contents. Chlorambucil belongs to a group of medicines called cytotoxics (also called chemotherapy). It works by reducing the number of abnormal cells your body makes. Together, POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL used to treat Hodgkin's disease and Non- Hodgkin's, lymphoma (cancer in the lymphatic system), Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (blood cancer). Polymyxin B in POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL decreases the risk of infection caused by chlorambucil.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling unwell
- Stomach upset
- Increased bleeding tendency
- Bone marrow suppression
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or a nursing mother, it is advised to consult a doctor before using POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL. POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL should be used with caution in children. Before you take POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL, tell your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or planning to be vaccinated with a live vaccine, as it can make your body less able to fight infections. If you have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy, have liver problems, have a kidney problem (nephrotic syndrome), have seizures (fits), or convulsions. If you ever had fits or convulsions, you might be more at risk of having fits or convulsions when taking POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL. It is possible that the use of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL, particularly long-term use, may increase the risk of developing secondary blood cancer. Symptoms of secondary blood cancer include tiredness, fever, infection, and bruising. Please tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. Long-term use of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL may also cause kidney problems. Inform your doctor right away if you are unable to pass urine or if you have a change in how much urine is passed.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL may interact with vaccines that contain live organisms (oral polio vaccine, measles, mumps, rubella), pain reliever (phenylbutazone), anticancer drugs (bleomycin, dactinomycin, busulfan, cytarabine, streptozocin), muscle relaxant and other neurotoxic drugs (tubocurarine, succinylcholine, gallamine, decamethonium, sodium citrate).
Drug- Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, fits, enlarged prostate, thyroid or heart problems, fits or convulsions, bladder obstruction or other urinary problems, inform your doctor before taking POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of alcohol with POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL.
Pregnancy
unsafePOLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL is Pregnancy Category D. It is not recommended during pregnancy because it may cause permanent damage to a foetus. It is advised to consult your doctor if you plan to conceive or already pregnant before starting POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL. POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL is given to pregnant women if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeBreast-feeding must be avoided during treatment with POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL. Please consult your doctor before taking POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionPOLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL.
Kidney
unsafePOLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL is not recommended if you have had any history of kidney impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL.
Children
cautionPOLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL is not recommended for children below 2 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
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Avoid intake of sugar, it may increase the production of insulin, a hormone that in turn is believed to stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
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Avoid drinking less alcohol, caffeine, and fizzy drink. Limit intake of artificial sweeteners.
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It is recommended to remain hydrated and drink a lot of fluids while taking POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL.
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Do not miss any dose and finish the course as recommended by your doctor.
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Use an efficient method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking this POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL.
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Include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese, or milk-based custard in your diet.
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Eat daily a serving of broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables.
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Sprinkle sesame seeds over your food, vegetables, and salads. Sesame seeds are high in calcium.
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Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks, cigarettes, and alcohol.
Special Advise
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Treatment with POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL requires regular monitoring blood tests to check the number of cells in your blood and your drug dose may be adjusted as a result.
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Your doctor may change your dose during your treatment, depending on your medical condition. The dose can sometimes be changed if you are an older person or have liver problems.
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Your kidney or liver functions may be monitored during treatment if you are an elderly person.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Leukaemia (blood cancer): It is a type of blood cancer in which the number of white blood cells (WBCs) is increased in the blood and bone marrow. Symptoms of leukaemia include fatigue, weight loss, frequent infections, and easy bleeding or bruising.
Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: It is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system (organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials). Hodgkin lymphoma is caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA (genetic material) of a type of white blood cell called beta- lymphocytes. Non- Hodgkin lymphoma develop from lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, stomach ache, night sweats, weight loss, chest pain, and loss of appetite.
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia: A rare lymphoma associated with an uncontrolled increase of B-cells (a type of white blood cell), resulting in the release of an abnormal protein into the blood.
FAQs
Take the POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL as soon as you can but avoid the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL entirely.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL based on the type of cancer and severity of cancer. It is advised to use POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL only for the prescribed period since long term usage of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL may reduce the number of stem cells and also increase the risk of developing secondary blood cancer.
Polymyxin B in POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL is known to cause kidney problems. Let your doctor know if you have had any kidney problems. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL. If you are unable to pass urine or if you have a change in how much urine is passed, please inform your doctor immediately.
A drop in the number of blood cells, or bone marrow suppression, secondary blood cancers (acute secondary hematologic malignancies), fits (convulsions) in children with a kidney problem known as nephrotic syndrome, a drop in red blood cells, or anaemia which may make you feel tired or weak or breathless, and sores or white patches in or around your mouth are serious side effects of POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL.
No, do not receive a 'live' vaccine while using POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL. Chlorambucil in POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL can make your body less able to fight infections and the vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from the disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
Yes, Chlorambucil in POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL can affect ovaries or sperm, which may cause infertility (inability to have a baby). In women, menstruation can stop (amenorrhoea) and in men, a complete lack of sperm can be observed (azoospermia). Use a reliable form of contraception to avoid pregnancy if either you or your partner is taking POLYMYXIN B+CHLORAMBUCIL. Tell your doctor for advice.