Cytarabine (acronym: Ara-C) is an antineoplastic agent belonging to the class of antimetabolite drugs. It exerts a toxic effect on the cellular level (cytotoxic), leading to the death of tumor cells.
What is Cytarabine?
Cytarabine is used especially for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in adults and children (in adults it is most effective when it’s combined with other agents such as daunorubicin and thioguanine), but it may also find use as an antiviral drug, particularly in the treatment of infections caused by the herpes virus.
How should Cytarabine be taken?
The administration of Cytarabine is done intravenously. In particular, it may be administered:
- by lumbar puncture (intrathecal)
- by injection under the skin
- through infusion into a vein
Side effects associated with Cytarabine
This medicine may cause the so-called " cytarabine syndrome" characterized by fever, muscle pain, bone pain, occasionally chest pain, skin rash, conjunctivitis and malaise that usually occurs 6-12 hours after taking the drug.
Other common side effects include:
- Immunosuppression (leukopenia, severe thrombocytopenia and anemia)
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal character ( diarrhea , abdominal pain , nausea , vomiting )
- Raising urea
- Conjunctivitis
- Pain or ulcers in the mouth, with or without modest alterations of taste
Less common side effects are:
- Hair loss
- Temporary reduced liver function
- Temporary lung modification
- Dermatological disorders
- Flu-like symptoms ( fever and chills )
- Alterations of the central nervous system
- Various infections such as viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Cytarabine
Since Cytarabine may affect the ability to conceive, it is important to address problems related to fertility with your doctor before starting the treatment.
Moreover, Cytarabine could compromise the fetal development; therefore, it is not advisable to become pregnant or father a child while being treated with this medication.
