Cytarabine Stada

Cytarabine Stada is a cancer medicine used to treat acute blood cancer in children and adults, and to prevent and treat leukemia in the brain and spinal cord.

Form
injektioneste, liuos
Strength
20 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Cytarabine
Manufacturer
STADA Arzneimittel AG

How to Use

Dosage

Your doctor will decide the right dose for you.

Method

This medicine is given as an injection into a vein, muscle, under the skin, or into the fluid around your spinal cord.

Important

Your doctor will determine your maximum daily dose.

Possible Side Effects

COMMON
  • fever
  • low white and red blood cells, increasing risk of infections and bleeding
  • abnormal blood cells
  • loss of appetite
  • difficulty swallowing
  • stomach pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • inflammation or sores in the mouth or anus
  • skin changes like redness, blisters, rash, hives, blood vessel inflammation, hair loss
  • changes in liver function (increased liver enzyme levels)
  • eye problems such as sore eyes, bleeding, blurred vision, light sensitivity, watery and burning eyes, and inflammation of the cornea
  • reduced awareness (with high doses)
  • speech difficulties (with high doses)
  • abnormal eye movements (with high doses)
  • inflammation at the injection site (in a vein)
  • high uric acid levels in the blood
RARE
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • blood poisoning (sepsis)
  • sores and inflammation in the esophagus and throat
  • severe bowel inflammation
  • skin sores
  • itching
  • yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • lung inflammation (pneumonia)
  • breathing difficulties
  • muscle and joint pain
  • inflammation around the heart (pericarditis)
  • kidney failure
  • inability to urinate
  • burning pain in palms and soles
  • sweat gland inflammation
  • irregular heartbeat
  • nerve damage and inflammation
  • pancreas inflammation
  • brain inflammation and damage
  • blindness
  • spinal cord damage, which can lead to paralysis
  • seizures
  • coma

Important Warnings

  • Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to cytarabine or any other ingredients.
  • Do not use this medicine if your blood cell counts are very low due to reasons other than cancer, or if your doctor deems them too low.
  • Do not use this medicine if your body's coordination is already poor after radiation therapy or using another cancer medicine like methotrexate.
  • This medicine can cause serious, even life-threatening, side effects in your brain, intestines, or lungs.
  • Cytarabine strongly reduces the production of blood cells, which increases your risk of infections and bleeding. Your doctor will monitor your blood counts closely.
Show 3 more warnings
  • Avoid getting pregnant during treatment and for 6 months after. Use effective contraception if you or your partner are receiving this treatment.
  • Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, as it can be harmful to your baby.
  • This medicine may affect fertility, causing missed periods in women and reduced sperm production in men.