Cytarabine is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat certain types of cancer of the blood.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Cytarabine injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein) or intrathecally (into the spine).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose and route of administration of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the type and severity of your condition and your response to the medication.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Cytarabine.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- low blood cell count due to some cause other than cancer
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Cytarabine therapy and for up to 6 months after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor or pharmacist.
Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. Do not receive any vaccinations without first asking your doctor.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, complete blood count, uric acid levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of infection and bleeding may also be needed.
Cytarabine may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, headache, dizziness, hair loss, and pain and irritation at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs and symptoms of lung or breathing problems e.g. trouble breathing or shortness of breath, fever, cough
- signs and symptoms of allergic reactions e.g. rashes, breathlessness; swelling of the face, eyes or mouth; tightness in the chest or throat, wheezing
- muscle or bone pain, chest pain, rash, redness and inflammation of the membranes covering the white part of the eyes
- severe stomach pain, back pain, upset stomach or vomiting
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- flucytosine (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- digoxin (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Cytarabine.
Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during treatment with this medicine. Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Cytarabine is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired medicine to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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