Cytosar-U

Generic Name: cytarabine
Other Brand Names: Tarabine PFS, cytarabine

What is cytarabine?

Cytarabine is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Cytarabine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Cytarabine is used to treat blood cancers (acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myelocytic leukemia).

Cytarabine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cytarabine?

Before taking cytarabine, tell your doctor if you have

  • kidney disease;

  • liver disease;

  • had recent vaccinations; or

  • bone marrow problems.

You may not be able to take cytarabine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Cytarabine is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that cytarabine is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby.Do not take cytarabine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with cytarabine.

It is not known whether cytarabine passes into breast milk. Do not take cytarabine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take cytarabine?

Take cytarabine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain them to you.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with cytarabine depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with cytarabine to monitor progress and side effects.

Your healthcare provider will store cytarabine as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing cytarabine, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose of cytarabine?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of cytarabine.

Where can I get more information about cytarabine?
Your pharmacist has information about cytarabine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of cytarabine?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

  • an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

  • decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; unusual bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, sore throat, or signs of infection);

  • shortness of breath or dry cough;

  • personality changes or severe drowsiness;

  • yellowing of the eyes or skin; or

  • eye pain or redness of the eyes.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain;

  • mouth sores;

  • loss of appetite;

  • temporary hair loss;

  • reddening, itching, and inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis);

  • rash, itching or hives;

  • dizziness; or

  • headache.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about cytarabine?

Cytarabine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of cytarabine including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); liver problems; severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, mouth sores; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with cytarabine.

What should I avoid while taking cytarabine?

Cytarabine can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with cytarabine. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

What other drugs will affect cytarabine?

Do not receive "live” vaccines during treatment with cytarabine. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with cytarabine.

Many other drugs may interact with cytarabine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with cytarabine.

What happens if I have an overdose of cytarabine?

If for any reason an overdose of cytarabine is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a cytarabine overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008