Cytarabine (Ara-C)
Also known as Ara-C, Arabinofuranosyl Cytidine, Arabinosylcytosine, Cytosar-U, or cytosine arabinoside.
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.[1][2]
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.[1]
Diseases for which it is used
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Transplant conditioning regimens
Patient drug information
- Cytarabine (Cytosar) patient drug information (Chemocare)[3]
- Cytarabine (Cytosar) patient drug information (UpToDate)[4]
References
- Drug index
- Chemotherapy
- Nucleic acid analogs
- DNA synthesis inhibitors
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia medications
- Acute myeloid leukemia medications
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) medications
- Hodgkin lymphoma medications
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma medications
- Transplant medications