Part of the treatment for lymphoma and leukemia may include the generically named medication chlorambucil, which is marketed in the United States with the brand name Leukeran. It is an alkylating agent that helps to restrict the growth of cancer cells, which in turn kills them. As with many cancer treatment medications, chlorambucil also tends to affect normal, non-cancerous cells in your body, and it can cause serious side effects. The drug also may be used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, kidney disease and uterine tumors, among other diseases, the Mayo Clinic reports.
Agitation and Confusion
Taking chlorambucil can have an affect on your mental faculties, but these tend to be temporary and non-serious side effects of the drug. When you begin taking chlorambucil, you may be highly agitated, which may be increased by your environment and people in it. You also may become confused. This probably will not be severe, but it can affect you by making it difficult to understand conversations, or it may affect you by confusion as to what day it is, what you are doing and what time it is. Drugs.com states these side effects are temporary. In most people taking chlorambucil, they do not continue beyond the first several days of treatment. Talk with your physician about them if they do.
Urination and Defecation Side Effects
More serious common side effects of taking chlorambucil including problems with your digestive system. For example, your stools may be black in color and have a tar-like consistency, the Mayo Clinic reports. Your stools and urine may contain blood. Trying to urinate may be difficult and painful. The problem generally takes place in combination with chills and a fever. All of these side effects are common and serious. Tell your physician immediately if you notice any of them.
Chills and Fever
Your body temperature may rise above the normal 98.6 degrees F when taking chlorambucil. This may include sweating and chills. These side effects can occur by themselves, or as mentioned above, with urinary and intestinal problems. They also may accompany hoarseness and a cough or pain in your left or right side and the lower portion of your back. No matter how you experience them, contact your doctor immediately if you get them, the Mayo Clinic states.
About this Author
Carole Anne Tomlinson has been a registered nurse working in a variety of medical environments for more than 25 years. She now serves as the nursing supervisor for a chemical dependency facility. She has also written numerous articles for a variety of websites.
