Cytarabine (Cytosine Arabinoside)

Indications & Dose:

Acute myelocytic leukaemia, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia (blast phase), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in children, treatment and maintenance of meningeal neoplasms, erythroleukaemia.

DOSE

0.5-5 mg/kg body wt by i.v or s.c daily for 5-10 days.

or Adults 100mg/m2 i.v. every 12 hours for 7 days

Contraindications:

Pregnancy & breastfeeding. 

Side Effects:

Myelotoxcity, G.I.T. irritation, cardiotoxicity. Leucopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, reticulocytopenia, GI disturbances, oral and anal ulceration. Hepatic, renal dysfunction, thrombophlebitis, central and peripheral neurotoxicity with high doses, rhabdo-myolysis, conjunctivitis, anaphylaxis.

Cautions:

Precautions:

To monitor drug tolerance, haematological, hepatic function, uric acid level monitoring. Women of child-bearing age.
Old age: Use with caution. 

Interaction:

Drugs

Radiotherapy and other myelotoxic drugs: Bone marrow depression potentiated.

Digoxin: Decreased serum levels of digoxin. Effect seen even several days after stopping therapy.

Gentamicin & Flurocytosine: Efficacy of both decreased.

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: