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Is Medication Taken For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Safe?
Question: I am on rutuzamab i.v. and fluderabine oral for C.L.L. Just had my first treatment after having chemo for this cancer some 6-8 years ago. I am 80 years old [ young ] but I try to always keep my body in good condition by eating well and keeping active. My oncologist [she had not seen me before] also added three drugs to my chemo to counteract the side effects. They are; Allopurinol 300 mg, Valacyclovir 500 mg, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim 800/160 mg. I am to take 1 a day of each one of these for the six months of my chemo. My wbc is 60.36, the hgb is 126.0, the platlets are at 87 which was one of the concerns plus somewhat of an enlarged spleen. My big concern is the six month period of ingesting so much toxidity into my body and is it not too long a period for taking these drugs?
Brief Answer:
These drugs would do you more good than harm!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this CLL. It is always a difficult task when we have to deal with cancer and cancer medications. I am however happy that your doctors got you on this medication and we very much hope they do just what we expect, controlling the CLL progression and symptoms.
These antineoplastic medications in addition to the cancer further weaken the immune system. This exposes the body to a huge number of opportunistic infections. Sulfameethoxazole/Trimethoprim would help provide a broad spectrum of antibiotics to fight most of them especially pneumocystis, toxoplasmosis and other infections. Valacyclovir would cover for most viral infections or recurrences like the herpes, CMV, EBV, etc. Allopurinol would help prevent that excess urine acid from the breakdown of cancer cells leads to other concerning pathologies like renal failure and gout arthritis.
In all, all of these medications have benefits to bring on the table. For sure, doing without medications is always the best thing but when we need them because the benefits outweigh the risk, then we just have to realize so. It is never ideal to be on any drug, and more so for 6months but it is the better of the two evils( being on drugs or dealing with the various conditions I have elaborated above).
In all, they are all justified. They would do more good than harm. I will strongly recommend you continue and be compliant.
I hope this helps. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. The best of every possible outcome as you carry on with this treatment.
These drugs would do you more good than harm!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this CLL. It is always a difficult task when we have to deal with cancer and cancer medications. I am however happy that your doctors got you on this medication and we very much hope they do just what we expect, controlling the CLL progression and symptoms.
These antineoplastic medications in addition to the cancer further weaken the immune system. This exposes the body to a huge number of opportunistic infections. Sulfameethoxazole/Trimethoprim would help provide a broad spectrum of antibiotics to fight most of them especially pneumocystis, toxoplasmosis and other infections. Valacyclovir would cover for most viral infections or recurrences like the herpes, CMV, EBV, etc. Allopurinol would help prevent that excess urine acid from the breakdown of cancer cells leads to other concerning pathologies like renal failure and gout arthritis.
In all, all of these medications have benefits to bring on the table. For sure, doing without medications is always the best thing but when we need them because the benefits outweigh the risk, then we just have to realize so. It is never ideal to be on any drug, and more so for 6months but it is the better of the two evils( being on drugs or dealing with the various conditions I have elaborated above).
In all, they are all justified. They would do more good than harm. I will strongly recommend you continue and be compliant.
I hope this helps. I wish you well and thank you so much for using our services. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. The best of every possible outcome as you carry on with this treatment.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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