Cytarabine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Cytarabine?

What is cytarabine for?

Cytarabine is a single drug (used alone) or in combination with other drugs to treat various types of cancer. This drug is a chemotherapy drug that works by slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Cytarabine dosage

How do I use Cytarabine?

Cytarabine is a drug usually given by injection into a vein by a medical professional. This medication may also be given by other methods depending on your medical condition. Dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to treatment.

Drink plenty of water while using this medicine, unless your doctor recommends something else. This method can help the kidneys to clear this drug from your body and can help you avoid some side effects.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How do I store Cytarabine?

Cytarabine is a drug that is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Cytarabine side effects

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the cytarabine dosage for adults?

Usual adult dose for acute nonlimpocytic leukemia:

As part of combination with chemotherapy:

100 mg / m2 / day by continuous IV infusion (day 1 to day 7) or 100 mg / m2 IV every 12 hours (day 1 to day 7) with anthracycline.

Usual adult dose for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:

• Acute Leukemia Induction:

Use as much as 100 to 200 mg / m2 / day or 2 to 6 mg / kg / day as a continuous IV infusion for 24 hours or in divided doses by rapid injection over 5 to 10 days. This use can be repeated about every 2 weeks.

• For refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia:

Take 2 to 3 g / m2 IV every twelve hours for up to 12 doses. The IV infusion generally lasts 1 to 3 hours. The use of cytarabine doses should be postponed or modified if the ANC level is below 1000 / mm3 or the platelet count is below 50,000 / mm3.

• For granulocytic leukemia / chronic chronic myelogenous leukemia:

Use as much as 20 mg / m2 subcutaneously for 10 days per month for 6 months with interferon alfa.

Usual adult dosage for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia:

• Acute leukemia induction:

Use as much as 100 to 200 mg / m2 / day or 2 to 6 mg / kg / day as an IV infusion continuously for 24 hours or in divided doses by rapid injection over 5 to 10 days. This use can be repeated every 2 weeks.

• For refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia:

Take 2 to 3 g / m2 IV every twelve hours for up to 12 doses. The IV infusion generally lasts 1 to 3 hours. The cytarabine dose should be postponed or modified if the ANC is below 1000 / mm3 or the platelet count is below 50,000 / mm3.

• For acute granulocytic leukemia / acute myelogenous leukemia:

Use as much as 20 mg / m2 subcutaneously for 10 days per month for 6 months with interferon alfa.

Usual adult dose for acute myeloid leukemia:

• Acute Leukemia Induction:

Use as much as 100 to 200 mg / m2 / day or 2 to 6 mg / kg / day as an IV infusion that is continued for 24 hours or in divided doses by rapid injection over 5 to 10 days. This use can be repeated about every 2 weeks.

• For refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia:

Take 2 to 3 g / m2 IV every twelve hours for up to 12 doses. The IV infusion generally lasts 1 to 3 hours. The cytarabine dose should be postponed or modified if the ANC is below 1000 / mm3 or the platelet count is below 50,000 / mm3.

• For acute granulocytic leukemia / acute myelogenous leukemia:

Use as much as 20 mg / m2 subcutaneously for 10 days per month for 6 months with interferon alfa.

Usual adult dosage for leukemia:

• Acute Leukemia Induction:

Use as much as 100 to 200 mg / m2 / day or 2 to 6 mg / kg / day as an IV infusion continuously for 24 hours or in divided doses by rapid injection over 5 to 10 days. This use can be repeated about every 2 weeks.

• For refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia:

Take 2 to 3 g / m2 IV every twelve hours for up to 12 doses. The IV infusion generally lasts 1 to 3 hours. The cytarabine dose should be postponed or modified if the ANC is below 1000 / mm3 or the platelet count is below 50,000 / mm3.

• For acute granulocytic leukemia / acute myelogenous leukemia:

Use as much as 20 mg / m2 subcutaneously for 10 days per month for 6 months with interferon alfa.

What is the dosage of Cytarabine for children?

• Usual children's dosage for acute non-lymphocytic leukemia:

As part of combination with chemotherapy:

100 mg / m2 / day by continuous IV infusion (day 1- day 7) or 100 mg / m2 IV every 12 hours (day 1 - day 7) with anthracycline.

• Usual children's dosage for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:

For refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia:

1 to 3 g / m2 IV every twelve hours for up to 12 doses. IV infusion usually lasts 1 to 3 hours. The cytarabine dose should be postponed or modified if the ANC is below 1000 / mm3 or the platelet count is below 50,000 / mm3.

• Usual children's dosage for acute myeloid leukemia:

For refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia:

1 to 3 g / m2 IV every twelve hours for up to 12 doses. IV infusion usually lasts 1 to 3 hours. The cytarabine dose should be postponed or modified if the ANC is below 1000 / mm3 or the platelet count is below 50,000 / mm3.

• Usual children's dosage for meningeal leukemia:

The manufacturer has stated that doses ranging from 5 mg / m2 to 75 mg / m2 have been used intrathecally and the frequency of administration has varied from once daily for 4 days to once every 4 days. The manufacturer further states that 30 mg / m2 every 4 days to normal levels of cerebrospinal fluid, followed by one additional treatment which is the most frequently used therapy.

However, some doctors recommend following the dosage based on age:

• <1 year: 20 mg
• 1 to 2 years: 30 mg
• 2 to 3 years: 50 mg
• > 3 years: 70 to 75 m

In what dosage is Cytarabine available?

Cytarabine is a drug that is available in doses:

• 2% (5 mL) 5% (10 ml) solution
• Powder 100 mg 500 mg 1000 mg 2000 mg

Cytarabine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What side effects can be experienced due to cytarabine?

In deciding to use this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against its benefits. This is the decision of you and your doctor. Things to be aware of before using cytarabin are as follows

Allergy

Cytarabine is a drug that can react when you have certain allergies. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read ingredients labels or packages carefully.

Children

Cytarabine is a drug that should be watched for use in children. Although there is no specific information comparing cytarabine use in children with those used in other age groups, this drug is not expected to cause as different side effects or problems in children as it does in adults.

Parents

Cytarabine is a drug to watch out for when used in the elderly. Many drugs have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether these drugs work in the same way in young adults. Although there is no specific information comparing cytarabine use in the elderly with that used in other age groups, it is not expected to cause as different side effects or problems in the elderly as those in young adults.

Is Cytarabine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Cytarabine is a drug whose effects are unknown in pregnant and lactating women. There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in America

Following are references to pregnancy risk categories according to the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in America:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Cytarabine Drug Interactions

What should be known before using cytarabine?

In deciding to use this drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against its benefits. It is up to you and your doctor. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read ingredients labels or packages carefully.

Children

Although there is no specific information comparing cytarabine use in children with those used in other age groups, this drug is not expected to cause as different side effects or problems in children as it does in adults.

Parents

Many drugs have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether these drugs work in the same way in young adults. Although there is no specific information comparing cytarabine use in the elderly with that used in other age groups, it is not expected to cause as different side effects or problems in the elderly as they do in young adults.

Is cytarabine safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Cytarabine overdose

What medicines might interact with cytarabine?

Cytarabine is a drug that can interact with other drugs. Although certain drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may want to change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed. Tell your health care professional if you are taking prescription drugs or other drugs on the market.

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to give you this drug or change some of the other drugs you take.

Can food or alcohol interact with Cytarabine?

Cytarabine is a drug that can interact with alcohol or even certain foods. Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with Cytarabine?

Cytarabine is a drug that can interact with certain health conditions. The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• smallpox (including recent exposure)
• shingles (shingles) - the risk of the disease getting worse and can affect other parts of the body
• gout (history of gout)

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.