Cytarabine
About
Cytarabine is an anticancer medicine used in the treatment of leukemia. Leukemia, also known as blood cancer, is a cancer of blood cells or blood-forming tissues. It causes excessive production of immature white blood cells by the bone marrow and reduces the body’s ability to fight infections. Cytarabine is used in the treatment of different types of leukemias, such as acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia and meningeal leukemia.
Cytarabine contains Cytarabine, which belongs to the class of antimetabolites. It works by inhibiting the DNA polymerase enzyme responsible for DNA elongation, synthesis, and repair. In general, it inhibits the production of genetic material (DNA) in the cancer cells that are essential for the growth, repair and multiplication of cells. Thus, Cytarabine stops the multiplication of abnormal cells, leads to the growth of cells in an unbalanced way and causes the death of cells.
Cytarabine may cause certain side effects such as vomiting, nausea, mouth ulcers, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dark-coloured urine, stomach pain, hair loss, dizziness, weakness, and pain at the site of injection, prescribed by your doctor. Most of these side effects of Cytarabine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please seek medical help. A trained healthcare professional will administer Cytarabine. Hence, do not self-administer.
If you are allergic to Cytarabine, inform your doctor and avoid taking it. Inform your doctor about your complete medical and medication history before starting treatment with Cytarabine. Cytarabine is contraindicated for pregnant women and breastfeeding women due to serious embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you have/had kidney or liver disease. Avoid alcohol consumption with Cytarabine as it may increase the risk of liver damage. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight as Cytarabine may cause sensitivity to sunlight. You are advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while going out.
Uses of Cytarabine
Medicinal Benefits
Cytarabine contains Cytarabine, which belongs to the class of antimetabolites. It works by inhibiting the DNA polymerase enzyme that is responsible for DNA elongation, synthesis, and repair. In general, it inhibits the production of genetic material (DNA) in the cancer cells that are essential for cell growth, repair and multiplication. Thus, Cytarabine stops the multiplication of abnormal cells, leads to the growth of cells in an unbalanced way and causes the death of cells.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cytarabine
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Mouth ulcers
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Dark-coloured urine
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Stomach pain
- Weakness
- Injection site reactions
- Pain at the site of injection
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Cytarabine should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other component present in it. Inform your doctor about your complete medical and medication history before starting treatment with Cytarabine. Cytarabine is contraindicated for pregnant women and breastfeeding women due to serious embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you have/had any pre-existing liver or kidney disease. Avoid taking Cytarabine if you are pregnant, as it may harm the foetus. Avoid alcohol consumption with Cytarabine as it may increase the risk of liver damage. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight as Cytarabine may cause sensitivity to sunlight. You are advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while going out. If you are about to receive any vaccinations, inform your doctor that you are taking Cytarabine as it may cause infection.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Cytarabine may interact with medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis (mesalazine, olsalazine), anti-inflammatory drugs (sulfasalazine), aminoglycosides (gentamicin, amikacin, neomycin), cardiac glycoside, cholera vaccine, typhoid vaccine.
Drug-Food Interactions: Cytarabine may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption with Cytarabine as it may increase the risk of liver damage.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease before starting treatment with Cytarabine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Cytarabine as it may increase the risk of liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Cytarabine. You should not become pregnant while on treatment with Cytarabine.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and harm your infant. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Cytarabine. Your doctor may suggest you stop feeding while on treatment with this medicine.
Driving
unsafeCytarabine causes dizziness and may alter the ability to drive or operate machines. Hence, avoid driving or operating machines after receiving Cytarabine.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Cytarabine. It may lead to CNS toxicity in high doses.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Cytarabine as it may lead to kidney failure. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeCytarabine, combined with other approved anti-cancer medications, is suggested for inducing remission in adults and children with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. Consult your doctor for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a balanced diet including fruits and vegetables rich in nutrients and low-fat proteins like lean meats, fish and poultry.
- Drink plenty of water daily while taking Cytarabine as some cancer therapies may cause dehydration.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight.
- Regularly wash your hands and avoid contact with people having infections.
- Quit smoking.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Cytarabine to monitor the number and type of cells in the blood.
- Cytarabine, like other cytotoxic medicines, can cause hyperuricemia due to the fast lysis of neoplastic cells. Blood uric acid levels should be monitored and be ready to utilize any supportive or pharmacologic interventions that may be required to address this condition.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Chronic myeloid leukemia: It is a type of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow and blood. It abnormally increases the number of immature white blood cells. The symptoms include unexplained weight loss, excessive sweating, bone pain, frequent nosebleeds, heavier-than-normal periods in females, and shortness of breath. The risk factors include smoking and genetic or blood disorders.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia: It is a type of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow and blood. It increases the number of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The symptoms include fever, enlarged liver, bone or joint pain, shortness of breath, weakness, and bleeding from gums or bruises.
FAQs
Cytarabine contains Cytarabine, which belongs to the class of antimetabolites. It works by inhibiting the DNA polymerase enzyme that is responsible for DNA elongation, synthesis, and repair.
If you are about to receive any vaccinations, especially live vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella and polio vaccines, it is advised to inform your doctor that you are on treatment with Cytarabine as it may cause infections.
Cytarabine may cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Therefore, please consult a doctor before taking Cytarabine if you are planning to become pregnant.
