Cytabin 100

Description

Cytabin 100 mg Infusion

Indications
Cytarabine may be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. It is indicated for induction of remission of leukaemia, particularly for acute myeloid leukaemia, in adults and children. Cytarabine has been used for remission induction in acute lymphocytic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia and erythroleukaemia; and in the treatment and maintenance therapy of meningeal leukaemia and other meningeal neoplasms. Chiidren with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have benefitted from a combination drug programme (LSA2L2) that includes cytarabine.

Pharmacology
Cytarabine is an antineoplastic agent. Cytarabine is a synthetic pyrimidine nucleoside, which is converted intracellularly to the nucleotide, cytarabine triphosphate. The exact mechanism of action of cytarabine is not fully understood, but cytarabine triphosphate appears to inhibit DNA synthesis by the inhibition of DNA polymerase. Cytarabine’s actions are cell-cycle specific. Cytarabine is also immunosuppressant and has demonstrated antiviral activity in vitro.

Dosage & Administration
Cytarabine Injection is not active orally. The schedule and method of administration varies with the program of therapy to be used. Cytarabine Injection may be given by intravenous infusion or injection, subcutaneously, or intrathecally (preservative free preparation only). In the induction therapy of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, the usual cytarabine dose in combination with other anticancer drugs is 100 mg/m2/day by continuous IV infusion (1 to 7 Days) or 100 mg/m2 IV every 12 hours 1 to 7 Days). The literature should be consulted for the current recommendations for use in acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Intrathecal Use in Meningeal Leukemia: Cytarabine injection has been used intrathecally in acute leukemia in doses ranging from 5 mg/m2 to 75 mg/m2 of body surface area.

Use in Children: Appropriate studies with cytarabine have not been performed in the paediatric population. However, paediatric specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medication in children are not expected.

Use in the Elderly: Although studies with cytarabine have not been performed in the geriatric population, geriatric specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medication in the elderly are not expected. Elderly patients are, however, more likely to have age related renal function impairment, which may require reduction of dosage in patients receiving cytarabine.