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Chlorambucil is an alkylating, cytotoxic, antineoplastic
drug that is used in the treatment of a variety of immune-mediated diseases
in dogs and cats. Chlorambucil forms covalent bonds with nucleic acids,
causing disruption of DNA strands and suppressing antibody production.
It is usually used in conjunction with other drugs, most frequently prednisolone.
It is one of the safest cytotoxic drugs. Chlorambucil is well-absorbed
orally and is metabolized by the liver.
Chlorambucil is used in dogs for the treatment of canine lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoreticular neoplasms, macroglobinemia, polycythemia vera and inflammatory bowel disease. It may also be used in combination with prednisone when treating pemphigus complex.
Chlorambucil is used in cats for the treatment of lymphocytic leukemia, lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis, pemphigus, inflammatory bowel disease, and feline eosinophillic granuloma complex. Chlorambucil is considered safer than azathioprine for use in cats.
Chlorambucil has been used within a multiple-drug protocol
for the treatment of lymphoma in horses.
• Side effects are primarily gastro-intestinal
distress (including vomiting and diarrhea) and bone-marrow suppression.
Alopecia, particularly in Poodles and Kerry Blues, has been reported.
Seizures are a rarer side effect.
• Chlorambucil should be used with caution in animals
with pre-existing bone-marrow suppression or infection.
• Chlorambucil may be teratogenic. Because of the serious nature
of the diseases for which it is used, its potential benefit to the patient
should be weighed against the possible fetal harm.
Chlorambucil should be used with caution with other
myelosuppressive or immunosuppressive drugs due to additive bone-marrow
suppression, or increased risk of infection.
Overdose may cause seizures and pancytopenia. Gastric
emptying should be considered depending on the patient's neurologic status.
Blood component therapy may be warranted based on the degree of pancytopenia.
Dr.
Barbara Forney is a veterinary practitioner in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
She has a master's degree in animal science from the University of Delaware
and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
in 1982.
She began to develop her interest in client education and medical writing 1997. Recent publications include portions of The Pill Book Guide to Medication for Your Dog and Cat, and most recently Understanding Equine Medications published by the Bloodhorse.
Dr. Forney is an FEI veterinarian and an active member of the AAEP, AVMA, and AMWA.
You can purchase books by Dr. Forney at www.exclusivelyequine.com
To help protect veterinary staff and patients from unnecessary exposure to chemotherapy medications and waste, this handling sheet will be included with all chemotherapy prescriptions we dispense.
The information contained on this site
is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does
not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions
of the products shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or
diagnosis for individual health problems or for making an evaluation as to the
risks and benefits of using a particular product. You should consult your doctor
about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements
have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"),
nor has the FDA approved the products to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.
Wedgewood compounded veterinary medicines are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals.
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