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Medications for Leukemia

Other names: Cancer, Leukemia

Any of a group of diseases of the reticuloendothelial system involving uncontrolled proliferation of white blood cells (leukocytes).

For information about a specific type of leukemia see one of the following:

  • chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
  • hairy cell leukemia
  • chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • acute lymphocytic leukemia
  • acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (AML)
  • chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

See also Leukemia Resources.

Drugs used to treat Leukemia

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
prednisone 9.0 2 reviews for prednisone to treat Leukemia Rx C N
Generic name:
prednisone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
dexamethasone Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Brand names:
Dexamethasone Intensol, Dxevo, Zcort, De-Sone LA
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
cytarabine Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
cytarabine systemic
Drug class:
antimetabolites
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Sprycel 5.5 2 reviews for Sprycel to treat Leukemia Rx D N
Generic name:
dasatinib systemic
Drug class:
BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
idarubicin Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
idarubicin systemic
Brand name:
Idamycin PFS
Drug class:
antibiotics/antineoplastics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
dasatinib 5.5 2 reviews for dasatinib to treat Leukemia Rx D N
Generic name:
dasatinib systemic
Brand names:
Sprycel, Phyrago
Drug class:
BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Dexamethasone Intensol Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
triamcinolone Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
triamcinolone systemic
Brand names:
Clinacort, Kenalog-40
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Clinacort Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
triamcinolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
fludarabine Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
fludarabine systemic
Drug class:
antimetabolites
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Kenalog-40 Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
triamcinolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Dxevo Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zcort Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
De-Sone LA Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
dexamethasone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Idamycin PFS Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
idarubicin systemic
Drug class:
antibiotics/antineoplastics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Phyrago Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
dasatinib systemic
Drug class:
BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Revuforj Rate Add review Rx U
Generic name:
revumenib systemic
For consumers:
dosage,
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.