Cytarabine

Adults: Cytarabine injection does not work when taken by mouth. The schedule and method of giving it depend on the treatment program being followed. It may be given by intravenous infusion or injection, subcutaneously, or intrathecally (preservative-free preparation only). For induction therapy of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, the usual cytarabine dose in combination with other anticancer drugs is 100 mg/m2/day by continuous IV infusion (Days 1 to 7) or 100 mg/m2 IV every 12 hours (Days 1 to 7). The current literature should be consulted for recommendations on use in acute lymphocytic leukemia. Intrathecal use in meningeal leukemia: cytarabine injection has been given intrathecally in acute leukemia at doses ranging from 5 mg/m2 to 75 mg/m2 of body surface area. Use in children: appropriate studies with cytarabine have not been carried out in the paediatric population. However, paediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medicine in children are not expected. Use in the elderly: although studies with cytarabine have not been carried out in the geriatric population, geriatric-specific problems that would limit its usefulness in the elderly are not expected. Elderly patients are, however, more likely to have age-related impairment of kidney function, which may require a reduction in dosage for those receiving cytarabine.