Cytarabine Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 4, 2023.

Usual Adult Dose for Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia

Induction as part of combination chemotherapy:
100 mg/m2/day by continuous IV infusion (Days 1 through 7) or 100 mg/m2 IV every 12 hours (Days 1 through 7)

Use: Acute lymphocytic leukemia

Usual Adult Dose for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

The literature and/or local protocol should be consulted.

Use: Acute lymphocytic leukemia

Usual Adult Dose for Meningeal Leukemia

The dose ranges from 5 mg/m2 to 75 mg/m2 intrathecally once a day for 4 days to once every 4 days (30 mg/m2 every 4 days until cerebrospinal fluid findings are normal, followed by one additional treatment is the most frequently used dose)

Comments:

• Only the preservative free formulation of this drug should be administered intrathecally.

Use: Meningeal leukemia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia

Induction as part of combination chemotherapy:
100 mg/m2/day by continuous IV infusion (Days 1 through 7) or 100 mg/m2 IV every 12 hours (Days 1 through 7)

Comments:

• Children appear to tolerate higher doses of this drug than adults, and where the range of doses is given, children should receive the higher dose.

Use: Acute lymphocytic leukemia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

The literature and/or local protocol should be consulted.

Use: Acute lymphocytic leukemia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Meningeal Leukemia

The dose ranges from 5 mg/m2 to 75 mg/m2 intrathecally once a day for 4 days to once every 4 days (30 mg/m2 every 4 days until cerebrospinal fluid findings are normal, followed by one additional treatment is the most frequently used dose)

Comments:

• Children appear to tolerate higher doses of this drug than adults, and where the range of doses is given, children should receive the higher dose.
• Only the preservative free formulation of this drug should be administered intrathecally.

Use: Meningeal leukemia

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

US BOXED WARNINGS:

• Only physicians experienced in cancer chemotherapy should use this drug.
• For induction therapy patients should be treated in a facility with laboratory and supportive resources to monitor drug tolerance and protect and maintain a patient compromised by drug toxicity.
• The main toxic effect of this drug is bone marrow suppression with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Less serious toxicity includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, oral ulceration, and hepatic dysfunction.
• The physician should evaluate the benefit to the patient against known toxic effects of this drug in considering the advisability of therapy.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• Only the preservative free formulation of this drug should be administered intrathecally.
• Therapy should be started cautiously in patients with preexisting drug-induced bone marrow suppression.
• Patients receiving this drug should be under close medical supervision.

Storage requirements:

• Protect from light.
• Retain in carton until time of use.
• Store at 20C to 25C (68F to 77F).

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

• Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anti-cancer drugs should be followed.

IV compatibility:

• The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

General:

• This drug is not active orally.

Monitoring:

• During induction therapy, patients should have leucocyte and platelet counts performed daily.
• Bone marrow examinations should be performed frequently after blasts have disappeared from the peripheral blood.

Frequently asked questions

• What drugs are contained in Vyxeos?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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