Cytarabine Injection

Cytarabine Injection

Classification: Anticancer Medicine

What is Cytarabine Injection?

It is an anticancer medicine that is used to treat blood cancer and lymphatic cancer. It is given in the form of a shot or as an infusion.

Uses of Cytarabine Injection

It is used to treat different types of blood cancer. It is a strong chemotherapy drug and is used in combination with other drugs.

• • Meningeal blood cancer

 White Blood Cell Cancers

• • Acute myeloid leukemia
• • Acute lymphocytic leukemia
• • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Cytarzer (Cytarabine) – Treating the Aggressive Blood Cancer

Cytarzer is available as Cytarzer 1000 mg, Cytarzer 100mg, and Cytarzer 500mg.

Cytarzer is widely used in oncology care settings and the top leading cancer hospitals to treat severe forms of blood cancer.

Aprazer Healthcare – The leading ICU Injection Manufacturer

Aprazer Healthcare is the leading manufacturer and plays a pioneering role in engineering low-cost, innovative treatments and drugs for your critical care needs. We feel proud to be the leading manufacturer of high-quality life–saving medicines.

Worldwide presence and a strong distribution system make us the leading ICU injection exporter globally.

Working of Cytarabine Injection

It works by killing the cancer cells. It targets the cancer cell cycle and inhibits DNA formation. It blocks DNA multiplication and replication.

Common side effects of Cytarabine Injection

Cytarabine is highly toxic in nature. It affects cancer cells and also healthy cells.

• • It lowers blood count,
• • Causes anemia, low platelets, and WBCs.
• • Nausea, vomiting
• • Fever, Weakness
• • Skin discoloration and rashes
• • Hair thinning
• • Blurred vision

Severe side-effects caused by Cytarabine Injection

Harming the healthy cells, like bone, blood, can cause severe side effects. The severe side effects are usually dose-dependent.

• • Myelosuppression – Cytarabine suppresses bone marrow and lowers RBC, WBC count.
• • CNS Toxicity – it can reach the brain and damage cells and nerves.
• • Lung Toxicity – Higher doses affect the respiratory system, causing fluid retention in the lungs.
• • Gastrointestinal Damage- High doses of cytarabine can damage the internal stomach lining.
• • Cardiac Dysfunction – It can cause severe heart problems, leading to heart failure.
• • Allergic Reaction – It can cause an immediate immune reaction in people with drug allergy.
• • Liver Toxicity – Higher doses can impair liver functions, increasing liver enzymes.
• • Cytarabine Syndrome- It occurs during 6-12 hours of drug administration, causing high fever, nausea, and pain, and can be managed with steroids.
• • Ocular Side-Effects – It may damage the eye parts and can cause bleeding in the eye.
• • Skin Rashes – May cause severe, painful skin rashes.

Precautions Needed for Cytarabine Injection

To be used cautiously with complete dose monitoring in people with –

• • Liver dysfunction
• • Renal dysfunction
• • Immune-compromised patients
• • Neurological disorders
• • Bleeding disorders

Warnings for the use of Cytarabine Injection

• • It should be used only when prescribed by the doctor.
• • Not to be used in allergy or hypersensitivity to the drug.
• • Not to be used in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

Storage of Cytarabine Injection

• • Store at 2-8°C.
• • Protect from light.

Important Considerations for ICU Use of Cytarabine Injection

Due to its dose–dependent toxicities, Cytarabine dose should be carefully monitored. The risk of toxicity increases in critically ill patients as they have altered metabolism.

Continuous monitoring of electrolyte balance, neurological status, and risk of bleeding, infection, sepsis, etc. is required, and check for blood count, kidney, and other liver functions.

Administration Instructions

Administered as intrathecal, subcutaneous, or IV infusion.

To be used immediately after reconstitution.