Cytarabine Pharmacology

Cytarabine

About Cytarabine
N/A
Mechanism of Action of Cytarabine
In the body this cytosine arabinoside is converted into active arabinoside triphosphate.This nucleotide compete with the physiological substrate deoxy cytidine5`-triphosphate for incorporation into DNA by DNA polymerase. This results the mitosis inhibition which is essential for the rapid dividing cells. It also inhibits the RNA polymerase and nucleotide reductase enzyme (needed for the DNA synthesis).
Pharmacokinets of Cytarabine
Absorption- Rapidly absorbed after intravenous, intramuscular and intrathecal administration.
Distribution - Widely distributed in the body.13% bound to the plasma proteins. It crosses the blood brain barrier. It enters cerebrospinal fluid.
Metabolism- It is metabolized into its metabolites primarily in the kidney.
Metabolism also takes place in GI mucosa and granulocytes.
Excretion- Excreted through urine.90% as metabolites and 10% as unchanged form.
Onset of Action for Cytarabine
N/A
Duration of Action for Cytarabine
N/A
Half Life of Cytarabine
1 to 3 hrs
Side Effects of Cytarabine
1. Neurotoxicity
2. Malaise
3. Dizziness
4. Headache
5. Conjunctivitis
6. Renal dysfunction
7. Nausea
8. Vomiting
9. Leucopenia
10. Thrombocytopenia
11. Diarrhea
12. Anorexia
13. Anal ulcer
14. Abdominal pain
15. Hepatotoxicity
16. Jaundice
17. Myalgia
18. Bone pain
19. Rash
20. Pruritis
21. Flu like syndrome
22. Hyperurecemia
23. Thrombophlebitis
24. Edema
25. Anaphylaxis
26. Bloody stool
27. Hyper pigmentation
28. Alopecia
29. Sore throat
30. Oesophagitis
31. Rhabdomyolysis
32. Reticulocytopenia
Contra-indications of Cytarabine
1. Contraindicated in patient with hypersensitivity to the drug
Special Precautions while taking Cytarabine
1. Hepatic impairment
2. Renal dysfunction
3. Bone marrow depression
4. Severe infections
5. Monitor patients WBC and platelet count periodically
6. Assess patient`s renal and hepatic function periodically
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Cytarabine
1. Acute myelogenous leukemia
2. Meningeal leukemia
3. Acute lymphocytic leukemia
4. Chronic myelogenous leukemia
5. Erythroleukemia
6. Non-Hodgkins syndrome
7. Hodgkins disease
8. Myelodysplastic syndrome
Interactions for Cytarabine
Radiotherapy & other myelotoxic drugs: Bone marrow depression potentiated.
Digoxin: Decreased serum levels of digoxin. Effect seen even several days after stopping therapy.
Gentamicin & Flurocytosine: Efficacy of both decreased.
Typical Dosage for Cytarabine
Intravenous-
Adult-
For the treatment of leukemia: 75-150mg/metre square /day or 5mg/kg/day for 5 days
For the treatment of refractory disease: 3mg/metre square every 12 hrs for up to 6days
Intrathecal-
Adult-
10 - 30 mg/metre square every 2 to 4 days.
Schedule of Cytarabine
G
Storage Requirements for Cytarabine
Stored at controlled room temperature. Protect from light.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Cytarabine
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Cytarabine
Give supportive and symptomatic treatment. Transfuse the blood component and emesis.

Home Delivery for Cytarabine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including cytarabine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for cytarabine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for cytarabine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take cytarabine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for cytarabine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for cytarabine with the pharmacy.

Cytarabine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for cytarabine might be better known than cytarabine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have cytarabine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for cytarabine.