Drug reference
cladribine
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Oncology (Anti Metabolite)
Mechanism of action
Purine analog, impairs DNA repair; cladribine is a prodrug; in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, the active form incorporates into DNA, resulting in breakage of DNA strand and shutdown of DNA synthesis and repair, which in turn inhibits cell replication
Common side effects
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Fever
- Appetite decreased
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is cladribine?
cladribine belongs to: Oncology.
How does cladribine work?
Purine analog, impairs DNA repair; cladribine is a prodrug; in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, the active form incorporates into DNA, resulting in breakage of DNA strand and shutdown of DNA synthesis and repair, which in turn inhibits cell replication
What are the common side effects of cladribine?
Rash, Vomiting, Headache, Fatigue, Nausea, Fever, Appetite decreased
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.