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CYTARABINE, ARA-C (Cytosar-U®, DepoCyt) is a type of chemotherapy for treating leukemias and lymphomas. Cytarabine can interfere with the growth of cancer cells. It most often is used in combination with other chemotherapy agents. DepoCyt is a special form of cytarabine used to treat leukemia and lymphomas that are in the fluid surrounding the brain. Generic cytarabine injections are available.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
·bleeding problems
·dental disease
·gout
·infection (especially cold sores or shingles)
·kidney disease
·kidney stones
·liver disease
·nervous system disease
·recent radiation therapy
·an unusual or allergic reaction to cytarabine, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
·pregnant or trying to get pregnant
·breast-feeding
Cytarabine is for injection or infusion into a vein, or injection under the skin or into the spinal fluid. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health care professional.
It is important not to miss your dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
·digoxin
·dipyridamole
·vaccines
·some other chemotherapy agents
Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
·aspirin
·acetaminophen
·ibuprofen
·ketoprofen
·naproxen
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Cytarabine may cause different side effects depending upon the dose, type of infusion, and other chemotherapy agents given. Not all of these effects occur in all patients. Discuss the possible side effects of your therapy with your prescriber or health care professional.
Other side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
·confusion
·difficulty breathing
·low blood counts - cytarabine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
·signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
·signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
·signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
·eye discomfort, redness, blurred vision, double vision
·mouth sores
·vomiting
·stomach pain
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
·nausea
·diarrhea
·loss of appetite
·skin rash, itching
·bone pain
·muscle aches and pains
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects of cytarabine can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.
Cytarabine may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because cytarabine affects good cells as well as cancer cells. A cytarabine syndrome can occur within 6 to 12 hours of treatment. The symptoms include bone pain, fever, muscle pain, rash, reddened eyes (conjunctivitis), and tiredness.
Cytarabine will decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Cytarabine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.
Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), ketoprofen (Orudis KT®) or naproxen (Aleve®) products as these may mask a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.
Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving cytarabine because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are taking cytarabine.
Do not have any vaccinations without your prescriber's approval and avoid anyone who has recently had oral polio vaccine.
Men and women of childbearing age should use effective birth control methods during and after cytarabine treatment. There is a risk of birth defects if a woman becomes pregnant and either partner is being treated with cytarabine. Women should not become pregnant while being treated with cytarabine. Talk to your prescriber or health care professional about how this medicine can affect your ability to have normal babies.
Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible kidney problems.
Cytarabine injection will be given to you in a hospital or clinic setting. You will not take this medicine at home.
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.
[ Revised 4/22/99]