Drug Action
Cytarabine acts by interfering with pyrimidine synthesis.
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Drug reference
Cytarabine acts by interfering with pyrimidine synthesis.
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Induction of remission of acute myeloblastic leukaemia ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION, OR BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: (consult local protocol) Lymphomatous meningitis ▶BY INTRATHECAL INJECTION ▶Adult: (consult local protocol) Immune system and malignant disease
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Cytarabine is available as conventional and liposomal formulations. These different formulations vary in their licensed indications, pharmacokinetics, dosage and administration, and are not interchangeable.
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Not all cytarabine preparations can be given by intrathecal injection—consult product literature.
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→Appendix 1: cytarabine
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▶Common or very common Alopecia. anaemia. appetite decreased. consciousness impaired. diarrhoea. dysarthria . dysphagia. eye disorders. eye inflammation. eye stinging . fever. gastrointestinal discomfort. gastrointestinal disorders. haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (consider prophylactic corticosteroid eye drops). hyperuricaemia. leucopenia. nausea. oral disorders. renal impairment. skin reactions. thrombocytopenia. urinary retention. vasculitis. vision disorders. vomiting ▶Uncommon Arthralgia. dyspnoea. headache. increased risk of infection. myalgia. nerve disorders. pain. paralysis . pericarditis. sepsis. skin ulcer. throat pain ▶Rare or very rare Arrhythmias ▶Frequency not known Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). amenorrhoea. ataxia. azoospermia. bone marrow disorders. cardiomyopathy. cerebellar dysfunction. chest pain. coma. confusion. cytarabine syndrome. dizziness. drowsiness. haemorrhage. hepatic disorders. hyperbilirubinaemia. neurotoxicity. neurotoxicity rash. neutropenia. pancreatitis. personality change. pulmonary oedema. reticulocytopenia. rhabdomyolysis. seizure. tremor
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Contraceptive advice required, see Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.
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Avoid (teratogenic in animal studies). See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.
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Discontinue breast-feeding.
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Manufacturer advises caution (increased risk of CNS toxicity). Dose adjustments Manufacturer advises dose reduction– consult product literature.
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▶Haematological monitoring Cytarabine is a potent myelosuppressant and requires careful haematological monitoring.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: solution for injection Solution for injection ▶Cytarabine (Non-proprietary) Cytarabine 20 mg per 1 ml Cytarabine 500mg/25ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £19.50 Cytarabine 100mg/5ml solution for injection vials | 5 vial P £30.00 (Hospital only) Cytarabine 500mg/25ml solution for injection Cytosafe vials | 1 vial P £19.50 (Hospital only) Cytarabine 100 mg per 1 ml Cytarabine 1g/10ml solution for injection Cytosafe vials | 1 vial P £39.00 (Hospital only) Cytarabine 1g/10ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £37.05– £52.27 (Hospital only) | 1 vial P £39.00 Cytarabine 500mg/5ml solution for injection vials | 5 vial P £89.78–£100.00 (Hospital only) Cytarabine 100mg/1ml solution for injection vials | 5 vial P £26.93 (Hospital only) Cytarabine 2g/20ml solution for injection Cytosafe vials | 1 vial P £77.50 (Hospital only) Cytarabine 2g/20ml solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £73.63– Immune system and malignant disease £103.87 (Hospital only) | 1 vial P £77.50 Combinations available: Daunorubicin with cytarabine, p. 951
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(consult local protocol)
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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(consult local protocol)
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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