LITAK contains the active substance cladribine. Cladribine is a cytostatic agent. It affects the growth of malignant (cancerous) white blood cells which play a role in hairy cell leukaemia. LITAK is used to treat this disease.
Active substance(s) | Cladribine |
Country of admission | gb |
Marketing authorisation holder | Lipomed GmbH |
ATC Code | L01BB04 |
Pharmacological groups | Antimetabolites |
LITAK contains the active substance cladribine. Cladribine is a cytostatic agent. It affects the growth of malignant (cancerous) white blood cells which play a role in hairy cell leukaemia. LITAK is used to treat this disease.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had:
Before and during treatment with LITAK, you will have regular blood tests to check whether it is safe for you to continue with your treatment. Your doctor may decide that you should receive blood transfusions to improve your level of blood cells. In addition, the proper function of your liver and your kidneys will be checked.
If you want to father a child, please tell your doctor before treatment with LITAK is started. You should not father a child during treatment and up to 6 months after treatment with LITAK. Your doctor may advise you about the possibility to store deep-frozen sperm (cryoconservation).
Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. In particular, tell your doctor if you are using any medicines containing:
You must not use LITAK with other medicines that affect the production of blood cells in the bone marrow (myelosuppression).
Your must not use LITAK if you are pregnant. You must take adequate contraceptive precautions during therapy and for at least six months after your last LITAK dose. If pregnancy occurs during your treatment, you must immediately inform your doctor.
You must not breast-feed while you are treated with LITAK and for at least six months after your last LITAK dose.
LITAK has a major effect on the ability to drive and use machines. If you feel drowsy, which may occur due to a low number of red blood cells caused by LITAK treatment, or dizzy, you should not drive or use machines.
Always use LITAK as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Your doctor will calculate your dose according to your body weight and explain the treatment schedule in detail. The recommended daily dose is 0.14 mg per kg body weight for five consecutive days (single treatment course).
LITAK has to be injected under your skin (subcutaneous injection), at about the same time each day. If you are injecting LITAK yourself, first you must receive adequate training by your doctor or nurse. You will find detailed instructions for injection at the end of this leaflet.
You may also receive an additional medicine containing the active substance allopurinol in order to reduce excess of uric acid.
In case you inject an incorrect dose, tell your doctor immediately.
Do not inject a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. In case you miss an injection of a dose, tell your doctor immediately.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, LITAK can have side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following during or after treatment with LITAK:
Repeated occurrence of malignant (cancerous) disease cannot be excluded. This means that the risk that you develop a malignant disease in the future is slightly higher than for healthy people. This slightly increased risk can be due to hairy cell leukaemia or to therapies used to treat the disease including LITAK.
Side effects may occur with certain frequencies, which are defined as follows:
Infections.
Fever.
Low numbers of certain white blood cells (neutrophils and lymphocytes) and platelets in blood tests.
Low number of red blood cells, which may result in anaemia, with symptoms such as tiredness and drowsiness.
Reduced function of your body?s immune system.
Headache, dizziness.
Abnormal breath sounds, abnormal chest sounds, cough.
Feeling sick, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea.
Skin eruption (rash), swelling, redness as well as soreness around the site of injection, sweating. Skin reactions are mostly mild to moderate and usually resolve within a few days. Tiredness, chills, decreased appetite.
Weakness.
Repeated occurrence of malignant (cancerous) disease.
Low number of platelets, which can cause unusual bleeding (for example nose or skin bleeds). Sleeplessness, anxiety.
Increased heart rate, abnormal heart sound, low blood pressure, decreased blood supply to the heart muscle.
Shortness of breath, swelling in lung tissue due to infection, inflammation of mouth and tongue. Abdominal pain and presence of excessive amount of gas in the stomach or bowels, mostly mild increases in liver laboratory values (bilirubin, transaminases) which will return to normal values once treatment is over.
Itching, itching skin eruption (urticaria), redness of the skin and skin pain.
Swelling in tissues (oedema), not feeling well, pain (muscle pain, joint pain, and bone pain).
Uncommon side effects
Anaemia caused by destruction of red blood cells.
Sleepiness, numbness and tingling of the skin, feebleness, inactivity, disorder of peripheral nerves, confusion, impaired ability to coordinate movements.
Eye inflammation.
Sore throat.
Inflammation of a vein.
Severe weight loss.
Reduced liver function.
Reduced kidney function.
Complications caused by cancer treatment due to break-down of cancer cells. Rejection response to blood transfusions.
Increased number of certain white blood cells (eosinophils).
Stroke.
Disturbances in speech and swallowing.
Heart failure.
Abnormal heart rhythm.
Inability of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation.
Obstruction of the bowels.
Serious allergic skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Lyell syndrome).
Very rare side effects
Depression, epileptic attack.
Swelling of the eyelid.
Blood clot in the lung.
Inflammation of the gallbladder.
Reduced function of organs due to high amounts of a specific substance produced by the body (a glycoprotein).
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a refrigerator (2°C-8°C). Do not freeze.
Do not use LITAK after the expiry date which is stated on the vial label and the outer carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
From a microbiological point of view, unless the opening precludes the risk of microbiological contamination, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user.
Do not use LITAK if you notice that the vial is damaged or that the solution is not clear or contains any particles.
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
LITAK is available in glass vials containing 5 ml of clear, colourless solution for injection. Pack size of 1 or 5 vials. Not all pack-sizes may be marketed.
Lipomed GmbH
Hegenheimer Strasse 2
D-79576 Weil/Rhein
Germany
For any information about this medicine, please contact the Marketing Authorisation Holder.
This section contains information on how to give an injection of LITAK. It is important that you do not try to give yourself the injection unless you have been instructed by your doctor or nurse. Your doctor will tell you how much LITAK you need and how often and when you have to inject yourself. LITAK should be injected into the tissue just under the skin (subcutaneous injection). If you have any question with regard to giving the injection, please ask your doctor or nurse for help.
LITAK is a cytotoxic and should therefore be handled with caution. When LITAK is not self-administered by the patient, the use of disposable gloves and protective garments is recommended when handling and administering LITAK. If LITAK contacts the skin or eyes, rinse the involved surface immediately with copious amounts of water. Pregnant women must avoid contact with LITAK.
To give yourself a subcutaneous injection, you will need:
1. Before injection, allow LITAK to warm up to room temperature.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly.
3. Find a comfortable, well-lit place and put everything you need where you can reach it.
Before you inject LITAK, you must do the following:
1. Remove the red protective cap from the LITAK vial. Do not remove the rubber stopper of the vial. Clean the rubber top of the vial with an alcohol wipe. Remove the syringe from the wrapping without touching the tip of the syringe. Remove the injection needle from the wrapping and place it firmly on the tip of the syringe. Remove the needle guard without touching the needle.
2. Push the needle through the rubber stopper of the vial and turn the vial and the syringe upside down. Be sure that the tip of the needle is in the solution.
3. Draw the correct volume of LITAK into the syringe by pulling back the plunger (your doctor will inform you how many ml of LITAK you need to inject).
4. Pull the needle out of the vial.
5. Make sure there is no air left in the syringe: point the needle upwards and push the air out.
6. Check you have the right volume.
7. Inject straight away.
The most suitable places to inject yourself are shown here the top of your thighs and the abdomen, except for the area around the navel. If someone else is injecting you, they can also use the outer surface of the upper arms or the buttocks. How do I give my injection
1. Disinfect your skin by using an alcohol wipe, wait for the area to dry and pinch the skin between your thumb and forefinger, without squeezing it. 2. Put the needle fully into the skin at an angle of about 45, as shown in the picture.
3. Pull slightly on the plunger to check that no blood vessel has been punctured. If you see blood in the syringe, remove the needle and re-insert it in another place.
4. Inject the liquid slowly and evenly for approximately one minute, always keeping the skin pinched.
5. After injecting the liquid, remove the needle.
6. Put the used syringe in the puncture-proof container. Use a new syringe and injection needle for each injection. The vials are for single use only. Return any portion of the contents remaining after use to your doctor or pharmacist for proper disposal.
Put used syringes into a puncture-proof container and keep it out of the reach and sight of children.
Dispose the puncture-proof container as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Do not put used syringes into the normal household garbage bin.
Last updated on 24.08.2023
The following drugs also contain the active ingredient Cladribine. Consult your doctor about a possible substitute for LITAK 2 mg/ml solution for injection
Browse our extensive database of medications from A-Z, including effects, side effects, and dosage.
All active ingredients with their effects, applications, and side effects, as well as the medications they are contained in.
Symptoms, causes, and treatments for common diseases and injuries.
The presented content does not replace the original package insert of the medication, especially regarding the dosage and effects of individual products. We cannot assume liability for the accuracy of the data, as the data has been partially converted automatically. Always consult a doctor for diagnoses and other health-related questions.
© medikamio