Cytarabine (Ara-C)

General information

Class/mechanism: Pyrimidine analog, mimics cytosine. Converted intracellularly into cytarabine-5-triphosphate (ara-CTP). Exact mechanism of action not known; believed to inhibit DNA polymerase, incorporate into DNA and RNA, and kill cells undergoing DNA synthesis (S-phase) and sometimes block cells from progressing from the G1 phase to the S-phase.
Route: IV, IT, SC
Extravasation: no information

For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.

Diseases for which it is used

• Acute lymphocytic leukemia
• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Acute promyelocytic leukemia
• Aggressive Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
• CNS lymphoma
• HIV-associated lymphoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Mantle cell lymphoma
• Transplant conditioning regimens

Patient drug information

• Cytarabine (Cytosar) patient drug information (Chemocare)
• Cytarabine (Cytosar) patient drug information (UpToDate)

Also known as

Alcysten, Alexan, Alexan 100, ARA, Ara-C, Arabine, Arabinosylcytosine, Arabitin, ARA Cell, Aracitin, Aracytin, Aracytine, Arabinofuranosyl Cytidine, Citagenin, Citaloxan, Citarabin, Citarabina, Citarabina Filaxis, Citarabina Martian, Citarabina Pharmacia, Citarabins, Citarax, Cylocide, Cylocide-N, Cytarabin, Cytarabin CS, Cytarabine, Cytarabine BVI, Cytarabine Comp, Cytarabine DBL, Cytarabine Faulding, Cytarabine FOT, Cytarabine Hydrochloride, Cytarabine Mayne Onco-Tain, Cytarabine Ocfosfate, Cytarabine Pfizer, Cytarabins, Cytarabinum, Cytarbel, Cytarine, Cytosar, Cytosar-U, Cytosine Arabinoside, Cytrosar, Depocyt, Depocyte, Erbabin, Erpalfa, Fauldcita, Groven, Ifarab, Iretin, Laracit, Medsara, Novutrax, P&U Cytarabine, Remcyta, Starasid, Tabin, Tabine, Trav Cytarabine, Udicil.