Indications & Uses
Cytosor is indicated for:
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
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.
Side Effects
The main adverse effect of Cybine is haematologic toxicity. Myelosuppression usually shows as megaloblastosis, leucopenia, anaemia, reticulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Leucopenia results mainly from granulocyte depression; lymphocytes are affected only minimally. The severity of these effects depends on the dose of the drug and the schedule of administration. The incidence and severity of haematologic toxicity are minimal after a single intravenous dose of Cybine, but myelosuppression occurs in almost all patients given daily IV injections or continuous IV infusions. Nausea and vomiting may occur during Cybine therapy, and they usually occur more often and more severely after rapid IV administration than after continuous infusion. Viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic or saprophytic infections, which can be mild, severe and at times fatal, may be associated with Cybine when it is used alone or together with other immunosuppressive agents at immunosuppressive doses that affect cellular or humoral immunity. Neurotoxicity after intrathecal Cybine has been linked to diluents that contain preservatives, and many clinicians recommend using preservative-free diluents instead. A Cybine syndrome has been reported, marked by fever, myalgia, bone pain, malaise, maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis and occasionally chest pain. A "flu-like" syndrome has also been reported, which may be treated with corticosteroids if severe. Anaphylactoid reactions have occurred. The syndrome usually appears 6 to 12 hours after the drug is given; corticosteroids have been shown to help in both treating and preventing it. If the symptoms of the syndrome need treatment, corticosteroids should be considered, along with continuation of Cybine therapy. Two adult patients with non-lymphocytic leukaemia developed peripheral motor and sensory neuropathies after consolidation with high-dose Cybine, daunorubicin and asparaginase. A syndrome of sudden respiratory distress, progressing rapidly to pulmonary oedema with radiologically pronounced cardiomegaly, has been reported after experimental high-dose Cybine therapy for relapsed leukaemia. This syndrome can be fatal.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Use with caution in patients with previous drug-induced bone marrow suppression, renal or hepatic impairment, and during pregnancy and lactation.
Contraindications
Cytarabine should not be used in patients who are known to be hypersensitive to the drug.