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Chlorambucil
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Chlorambucil

Generic name: Chlorambucil
Brand name: Leukeran
Dosage form: tablet
Drug class:Alkylating agents

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on May 11, 2022.

What is chlorambucil?

Chlorambucil is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug used for treatment of Hodgkin's disease and specific types of leukemias and lymphomas. It is from a group of medicines called alkylating agents which acts on cancer cells to slow down or stop their growth. It is a tablet that you swallow with a glass of water.

What is chlorambucil used for?

Chlorambucil is used in the treatment of

It does not cure these conditions but may help with symptoms that you may have. 

This medicine may also be used for conditions not listed here. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions about chlorambucil being used for any other conditions.

Warnings

Chlorambucil may:

  • Decrease blood cells in bone marrow, so it is important you have tests done regularly to check if your blood cells are being affected by this medicine.
  • Increase your risk of bleeding or infection, you should call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, chills, weakness).
  • Increase the chance of developing other cancers.
  • Affect your fertility, which is your ability to become pregnant or be able to father a child. Women should not become pregnant while taking chlorambucil and for a time afterwards as it may harm your fetus or cause birth defects. See below on this page for more information about chlorambucil and pregnancy.
  • You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. See the breastfeeding section below for more information on chlorambucil and breastfeeding.

What should I tell my doctor before taking chlorambucil?

You should not take chlorambucil if:

  • You are allergic to chlorambucil or any of the inactive ingredients in the product. See below for product ingredients.
  • You have used chlorambucil in the past and it was not effective.

You should tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to another cancer drug such as bendamustine, busulfan, carmustine, dacarbazine, ifosfamide, lomustine, mechlorethamine, melphalan, streptozocin, or temozolomide.  If you have had an allergic reaction to one of these drugs, it may increase your risk of having an allergic reaction to chlorambucil.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

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