DBL Cytarabine

Cytarabine

Alone or in combination w/ other chemotherapeutic agents for induction of remission of AML, acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) & erythroleukaemia; treatment & maintenance therapy of meningeal leukaemia & other meningeal neoplasms.

Induction of remission in AML 200 mg/m² daily by continuous IV infusion over 24 hr for 5 days repeated approx every 2 wk. Total dose: 1 g/m². Combination therapy w/ daunorubicin Cytarabine 100 mg/m² daily continuous IV infusion (days 1-7) w/ daunorubicin 45 mg/m² daily IV push (days 1-3). W/ thioguanine & daunorubicin Cytarabine 100 mg/m² daily IV infusion over 30 min every 12 hr (days 1-7) w/ thioguanine 100 mg/m² PO every 12 hr (days 1-7) & daunorubicin 60 mg/m² daily IV infusion (days 5-7). W/ doxorubicin Cytarabine 100 mg/m² daily continuous IV infusion (days 1-10) w/ doxorubicin 30 mg/m² daily IV infusion over 30 min (days 1-3). W/ doxorubicin, vincristine & prednisolone Cytarabine 100 mg/m² daily continuous IV infusion (days 1-7) w/ doxorubicin 30 mg/m² daily IV infusion (days 1-3), vincristine 1.5 mg/m² daily IV infusion (days 1-5) & prednisolone 40 mg/m² daily IV infusion every 12 hr (days 1-5). W/ daunorubicin, thioguanine, prednisolone, vincristine Cytarabine 100 mg/m² daily IV 12 hrly (days 1-7) w/ daunorubicin 70 mg/m² daily IV infusion (days 1-3), thioguanine 100 mg/m² PO every 12 hr (days 1-7), prednisolone 40 mg/m² daily PO (days 1-7) & vincristine 1 mg/m² daily IV infusion (days 1 & 7). Repeat courses as required at 2-4 wkly intervals, if leukaemia is persistent. Intrathecal use in meningeal leukaemia 5-75 mg/m² once daily for 4 days to once every 4 days.

Hypersensitivity. Pregnancy.

Not suitable for intrathecal use. Acute pancreatitis, neuropathy. Perform daily leucocyte & platelet counts. Conduct frequent bone marrow exam. Monitor serum uric acid conc. Concomitant use in patients w/ prior L-asparaginase treatment. Perform periodic determinations of renal & hepatic function. Poor hepatic function. Not to be used during lactation.

Haematologic toxicity, myelosuppression; nausea & vomiting, anorexia, diarrhoea, oral & anal inflammation or ulceration; viral, bacterial, fungal parasitic or saprophytic infection; cytarabine syndrome; hyperuricaemia.

Exacerbated incidence & severity of cytarabine-induced haematologic toxicity w/ other myelosuppressive drugs. Antagonised antifungal activity of flucytosine.

Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

L01BC01 - cytarabine ; Belongs to the class of antimetabolites, pyrimidine analogues. Used in the treatment of cancer.

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