Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor
WHO Essential Medicine EML section: Cytotoxic medicines
This is information only, not a prescription. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. For an overdose or poisoning, call 102.
Only physicians experienced in cancer chemotherapy should use cytarabine. For induction therapy patients should be treated in a facility with laboratory and supportive resources sufficient to monitor drug tolerance and protect and maintain a patient compromised by drug toxicity.
Cytarabine is used in combination with other approved anticancer drugs to induce remission in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia in both adults and children. It belongs to the class of nucleoside metabolic inhibitors. Common side effects include anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastosis, and reduced reticulocytes due to its bone marrow suppressant properties. It has also been found useful in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia and the blast phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia. Intrathecal administration is indicated for prophylaxis and treatment of meningeal leukemia. Cytarabine is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the drug. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it is not known whether it is excreted in human milk.
Sources: FDA SPL label (openFDA/DailyMed); RxNorm (NLM) · Reference · Reference · Reference
Nepal brand names not included: no licence-safe source.
Cytarabine Injection in combination with other approved anticancer drugs is indicated for remission induction in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia of adults and children. It has also been found useful in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia and the blast phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia. Intrathecal administration of Cytarabine Injection is indicated in the prophylaxis and treatment of meningeal leukemia.
Expected Reactions Because cytarabine is a bone marrow suppressant, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastosis and reduced reticulocytes can be expected as a result of administration with cytarabine. Cellular changes in the morphology of bone marrow and peripheral smears can be expected.
Cytarabine is contraindicated in those patients who are hypersensitive to the drug.
Pregnancy (label summary): See WARNINGS. A review of the literature has shown 32 reported cases where cytarabine was given during pregnancy, either alone or in combination with other cytotoxic agents. Eighteen normal infants were delivered. Four of these had first trimester exposure. Breastfeeding (label summary): Nursing mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk.
For a suspected overdose or poisoning, call 102 now and go to the nearest emergency hospital.
Call 102What is Cytarabine used for?
Cytarabine Injection in combination with other approved anticancer drugs is indicated for remission induction in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia of adults and children. It has also been found useful in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia and the blast phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia.
What are the side effects of Cytarabine?
Expected Reactions Because cytarabine is a bone marrow suppressant, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastosis and reduced reticulocytes can be expected as a result of administration with cytarabine. Cellular changes in the morphology of bone marrow and peripheral smears can be expected.
Who should not take Cytarabine?
Cytarabine is contraindicated in those patients who are hypersensitive to the drug.
Does Cytarabine have a boxed warning?
Only physicians experienced in cancer chemotherapy should use cytarabine. For induction therapy patients should be treated in a facility with laboratory and supportive resources sufficient to monitor drug tolerance and protect and maintain a patient compromised by drug toxicity.
Can I take Cytarabine in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Pregnancy (label summary): See WARNINGS. A review of the literature has shown 32 reported cases where cytarabine was given during pregnancy, either alone or in combination with other cytotoxic agents. Eighteen normal infants were delivered. Four of these had first trimester exposure.
What is the dose of Cytarabine?
Not provided here. Ask a doctor or pharmacist.
What is Cytarabine?
Cytarabine is used for: Cytarabine Injection in combination with other approved anticancer drugs is indicated for remission induction in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia of adults and children. It belongs to the class: Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor. Common side effects include: Expected Reactions Because cytarabine i…
Sources: FDA SPL label (openFDA/DailyMed); RxNorm (NLM) · Reference · Reference · Reference
US FDA DailyMed; NLM RxNorm