Cytarabine (Cytarabine) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

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Cytarabine

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Cytarabine
for Injection USP

For Intravenous, Intrathecal, or Subcutaneous Use Only

WARNINGS

Only physicians experienced in cancer chemotherapy should use Cytarabine for Injection USP.

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. The main toxic effect of cytarabine is bone marrow suppression with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Less serious toxicity includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, oral ulceration, and hepatic dysfunction.

The physician must judge possible benefit to the patient against known toxic effects of this drug in considering the advisability of therapy with cytarabine. Before making this judgement or beginning treatment, the physician should be familiar with the following text.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Cytarabine for Injection USP, commonly known as ara-C, an antineoplastic for intravenous, intrathecal, or subcutaneous administration, contains sterile lyophilized cytarabine (1-β-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine). Cytarabine is an odorless, white to off-white, crystalline powder which is freely soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol and in chloroform. Cytarabine is a synthetic nucleoside which differs from the normal nucleosides cytidine and deoxycytidine in that the sugar moiety is arabinose rather than ribose or deoxyribose. Its structural formula is:

Cytarabine Structural Formula Illustration

C₉H₁₃N₃O₅..................M.W.=243.22

Cytarabine for Injection USP is available in vials containing 100 mg, 500 mg, 1 g, and 2 g cytarabine. When necessary, the pH of Cytarabine for Injection USP was adjusted with hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide. Reconstitute with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection USP with benzyl alchohol for intravenous and subcutaneous use only. Do not use this diluent intrathecally. See "WARNINGS" Section.

What are the possible side effects of cytarabine (Cytosar-U, Tarabine PFS)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
eye pain or redness, problems with your vision;
sudden shortness of breath, dry cough;
unusual thoughts or behavior;
problems with urination;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Cytarabine »

What are the precautions when taking cytarabine (Cytarabine)?

Before using cytarabine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: decreased bone marrow function/blood cell disorders (e.g., anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), liver disease, kidney disease, gout.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine.

Use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the...

Read All Potential Precautions of Cytarabine »

Last reviewed on RxList: 11/3/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.