Advice
Following a full submission
Fludarabine phosphate (Fludara) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in patients with sufficient bone marrow reserves. First line treatment should only be initiated in patients with advanced disease, Rai stages III/IV (Binet stage C), or Rai stages I/II (Binet stage A/B) where the patient has disease related symptoms or evidence of progressive disease.
Fludarabine phosphate has been associated with higher response rates than chlorambucil in clinical trials. No overall survival advantage over other therapies has been demonstrated.
Fludarabine is restricted to use by specialists in haemato-oncology.
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Medicine details
- Medicine name:
- fludarabine, 10mg tablet and 50mg for injection or infusion (Fludara)
- SMC ID:
- 176/05
- Indication:
- B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
- Pharmaceutical company
- Schering Health Care Ltd
- BNF chapter
- Malignant disease and immunosuppression
- Submission type
- Full
- Status
- Restricted
- Date advice published
- 13 November 2006