Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)
cytarabine
Also known as Cytosar®, DepoCyte®, U-19920, 4-Amino-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, 1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine, cytosine-beta-D-arabinofuranoside, cytosine arabinoside
Cytarabine, also known as cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), is a chemotherapy medication used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is given by injection into a vein, under the skin, or into the cerebrospinal fluid. There is a liposomal formulation for which there is tentative evidence of better outcomes in lymphoma involving the meninges.
Key facts
- Drug.Watchedfields
- changed
- Drug.verifiedrevid
- 460111587
- Drug.image
- Cytarabin.svg
- Drug.image_class
- skin-invert-image
- Drug.width
- 200
- Drug.image2
- Cytarabine ball-and-stick.png
- Drug.image_class2
- bg-transparent
- Drug.tradename
- Cytosar-U, Depocyt, others
- Drug.MedlinePlus
- a682222
- Drug.pregnancy_AU
- D
- Drug.routes_of_administration
- injectable (intravenous injection or infusion, intrathecal, or subcutaneously)
- Drug.ATC_prefix
- L01
~7 min read
Article
6 sectionsContents
- Medical uses
- Side effects
- Mechanism of action
- History
- Names
- References
Cytarabine, also known as cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), is a chemotherapy medication used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is given by injection into a vein, under the skin, or into the cerebrospinal fluid. There is a liposomal formulation for which there is tentative evidence of better outcomes in lymphoma involving the meninges.
Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, vomiting, diarrhea, liver problems, rash, ulcer formation in the mouth, and bleeding. Other serious side effects include loss of consciousness, lung disease, and allergic reactions. Use during pregnancy may harm the baby. Cytarabine is in the antimetabolite and nucleoside analog families of medication. It works by blocking the function of DNA polymerase.