Description
Cytarabine is used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. It is also used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myelocytic leukemia. This medicine is also used to prevent and treat meningeal leukemia, a type of cancer that spreads to the meninges (covering of the brain and spinal cord).
Cytarabine belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics (cancer medicines). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by the medicine, other effects may also occur.
This medicine is to be given by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cytarabine injection in children to treat acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children for other conditions.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of cytarabine injection in geriatric patients.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Cedazuridine
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Bone marrow problems or
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Proper Use
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed into your spinal cord.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If a pregnancy occurs while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause serious brain or nerve problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have change or loss of consciousness or sleepiness.
Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, cramping, or burning, or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds. These may be symptoms of stomach or bowel problem.
This medicine may cause lung or breathing problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have blue lips and fingernails, chest pain, cough, coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum, increased sweating, swelling in the legs and ankles, or trouble breathing.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.
Check with your doctor right away if you have chest discomfort or pain, dizziness, faintness, fast irregular or pounding heartbeat, swelling of the feet or lower legs, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of heart problems.
Check with your doctor right away if you have itching or redness of the eye, or blurred or other changes in vision while you are using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
This medicine may cause hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood). Check with your doctor right away if you have joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, lower back, side, or stomach pain, or swelling of feet or lower legs.
Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) may occur while using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have bloating, chills, constipation, dark urine, fast heartbeat, fever, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Back pain
- dark urine
- fever
- headache
- light-colored stools
- nausea
- neck pain or rigidity
- sleepiness
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin
Less common
- Anxiety
- black, tarry stools
- blood in urine or stools
- blue or pale skin
- chest pain or tightness
- chills
- cough or hoarseness
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- pinpoint red spots on skin
- sneezing
- sore throat
- swelling of the fingers, hands, arms, lower legs, or feet
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
- Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
Less common
- Burning, dry or itching eyes
- constipation
- discharge, excessive tearing
- loss or thinning of the hair
- redness, pain, swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
DRG-20063243
