Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Cytosar-U, Tarabine PFS
Cytarabine is an antineoplastic antimetabolite drug used to treat various forms of leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and meningeal leukemia. It is a pyrimidine nucleoside analog that interferes with DNA synthesis, specifically inhibiting DNA polymerase. Cytarabine is cell cycle-specific, primarily affecting cells in the S phase of the cell cycle.
Used to treat various forms of leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and meningeal leukemia.
Severe myelosuppression, including fatal bone marrow hypoplasia, can occur. Neurotoxicity, including cerebellar dysfunction, is possible, especially with high doses.
Outcome:
Decreased digoxin effectiveness
Mechanism:
Reduced digoxin absorption
Outcome:
Increased risk of rash
Mechanism:
Unknown
Outcome:
Decreased cytarabine absorption
Mechanism:
Delayed gastric emptying
Most likely new formulation: Liposomal cytarabine for improved efficacy and reduced toxicity (2025, 80% confidence)
Based on ongoing clinical trials investigating cytarabine in combination therapies, there is a 70% likelihood of expanded indications for the drug within the next 5 years.
Antineoplastic, Antimetabolite, Pyrimidine analog
Pyrimidine nucleoside analog