cytarabine

What is the most important information I should know about cytarabine?

Cytarabine can cause serious side effects on your brain or central nervous system that may not be reversible. Tell your doctor if you have feel confused or have any unusual thoughts or behavior.

What is cytarabine?

Cytarabine is used together with other cancer drugs to treat certain types of leukemia (blood cancers).

Cytarabine is also used to treat or prevent leukemia associated with meningitis. Cytarabine will not treat a meningitis infection.

Cytarabine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving cytarabine?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• a head injury or brain tumor.

How is cytarabine given?

Cytarabine is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein, under the skin, or into the space around the spinal cord. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Cytarabine is usually given for only a few days at a time. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

After receiving an injection, you will be watched closely to make sure you do not have serious side effects.

Cytarabine can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while receiving cytarabine?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

What are the possible side effects of cytarabine?

Cytarabine can cause serious side effects on your brain or central nervous system that may not be reversible. Cytarabine is usually given together with steroid medicine to help lessen these side effects.

• severe drowsiness, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• fever, chills, body aches, feeling very ill;
• stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, bloody or tarry stools;
• loss of movement in any part of your body;
• liver problems --loss of appetite, right-sided upper stomach pain, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low platelets or red blood cells --pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, tiredness, feeling light-headed, cold hands and feet;
• lung problems --pain when you breathe, shortness of breath while lying down, cough with foamy mucus; or
• signs of eye infection --swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage;

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects may include:

• liver problems;
• fever;
• bleeding;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• mouth sores;
• rectal pain or sores;
• rash; or
• bruising where medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect cytarabine?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis;
• fluorocytosine; or
• gentamicin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect cytarabine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about cytarabine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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