Details

---

Cytarabine 100mg, 500mg, 1000mg Injection is a Cell Cycle-Specific (CCS) anti cancer drug belonging to antimetabolites group..

It is mostly used in hematologic cancers, it is not effective in cases of solid tumors.

Mechanism of action:Cytarabine is an S phase–specific antimetabolite that is metabolized to triphosphate metabolite. This metabolite inhibits both DNA polymerase-α and DNA polymerase-β resulting in blockade of DNA synthesis and repair. This leads to death of the cancer cell.

It is available as Cytosar and Depocyte in the International market and Arasid in Indian market.

 

Uses

• Cytosar is prescribed in hematologic malignancies like AML(acute myelogenous leukemia), ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia), CML(Chronic myelogenous leukemia), erythroleukemia, acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia and meningeal leukaemia.
• Arasid is used in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma especially in older patients as low dose therapy.
• Depocyte is also used in high doses after bone marrow transplant in conditioning regimen.

 

Dosage

• Cytarabine 100mg, 500mg, 1000mg Injection comes as a ready to use clear colorless solution and administered intravenously and subcutaneously by healthcare professionals only. It can be diluted with sterile water if given through infusion.
• Arasid is given intrathecally in meningeal leukemia.
• Cytarabine 100mg, 500mg, 1000mg Injection must be stored below 25°C but do not freeze and must be protected from light.
• Dosages are determined by the doctor according to the stage of cancer, weight, height, pre existing medical condition, response and side effects of the drug.
• Dosages are also adjusted according to the dose related side effects
• It is usually administered over a period of 5 to 7 days because of its rapid degradation in case of lymphoblastic leukemia.

 

Side effects

• Fever, chills
• Allergy
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• inflammation at the site of injection
• myelosuppression with neutropenia thrombocytopenia and anemia
• cerebellar ataxia
• mucositis
• neurotoxicity
• pulmonary toxicity
• Cardiomyopathy
• hair loss
• Infections
• muscle and joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Respiratory distress

 

Precautions

• Tell the doctor about ongoing medications,previous history of chemotherapy and any allergy before starting the drug.
• Inform the doctor about pregnancy or future plan of pregnancy or breastfeeding as this drug can harm the foetus.
• Cytarabine 100mg, 500mg, 1000mg Injection is contraindicated in case of allergy to cytarabine, very low blood cell count , encephalopathy and pregnancy.
• Careful monitoring is required in child patients.It should not be used in infants.
• Regular blood cell count tests, liver and kidney tests must be done.

Arasid interacts with other cytotoxic drugs leading to severe systemic toxicity.