💊 Medicine Name:
Cytosine Arabinoside
(Common name: Cytarabine)
💉 Formulation:
Injection – Lyophilized powder for reconstitution, for intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) use
💪 Strength:
100 mg per vial
📜 Description:
Cytarabine is an antimetabolite chemotherapy drug used primarily in the treatment of various forms of leukemia and lymphoma. It is a synthetic nucleoside analogue that disrupts DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells.
🌿 Nature:
- Cytotoxic antineoplastic agent
- Belongs to the antimetabolite class (pyrimidine analogues)
- Cell cycle specific, mainly active in the S-phase
- Used in both induction and consolidation therapy for hematologic cancers
🌟 Advantages:
- Highly effective in the treatment of acute leukemias, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Integral part of standard chemotherapy regimens such as “7+3” (cytarabine + daunorubicin)
- Available in low-dose, standard-dose, and high-dose regimens depending on indication
- Can be used intrathecally (via spinal canal) for CNS prophylaxis or treatment
- Well-established clinical protocols and long-term use experience
🧾 Prescription:
- Prescription-only (Rx)
- To be administered under specialist supervision in oncology or hematology settings
🎯 Indications / Uses:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) – primary use
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) – blast crisis
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (off-label or combination regimens)
- CNS leukemia – via intrathecal injection
📦 Packaging:
- Supplied in glass vials with lyophilized powder
- Labeled with “Cytotoxic – Handle with care”
- Reconstitution instructions included in the package insert
🧊 Storage:
- Store at 15–25°C (room temperature)
- Protect from light and moisture
- Once reconstituted, solutions are stable for limited time depending on storage temperature and dilution fluid – follow local guidelines
- Do not freeze reconstituted solution
👨⚕️ Patient Advice:
- Administered in cycles, often with other cytotoxic agents
- May require frequent blood tests to monitor bone marrow function
- Patient should report symptoms such as fever, bleeding, or fatigue promptly
- Avoid pregnancy and live vaccines during treatment
- May require eye drops during high-dose therapy to prevent ocular toxicity