Cytarabine Side Effects

Some side effects of cytarabine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to cytarabine: injectable powder for injection, injectable solution

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking cytarabine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have:

• fever with nausea, vomiting, and headache;

• problems with your vision or hearing;

• loss of movement in any part of your body;

• loss of bowel or bladder control;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• trouble standing or walking,

• seizure (convulsions);

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; OR

• feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin.

Common side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, memory problems;

• constipation, diarrhea, mild nausea;

• back pain, pain in your arms or legs;

• headache; or

• trouble sleeping (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to cytarabine: injectable powder for injection, injectable solution

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including myelosuppression have been the most universal and dose limiting effect of cytarabine. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia have been reported commonly. Anemia has been reported occasionally.

Myelosuppression has generally been reported to occur four to twelve days after therapy with recovery generally by day twenty eight. It is recommended that the patient's blood counts be monitored throughout therapy and at any clinical sign of thrombocytopenia, fever, or anemia, and before subsequent courses of therapy.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including adult respiratory distress syndrome (5% to 32%), sore throat, esophageal ulceration, esophagitis, and shortness of breath have been reported. One case of pulmonary edema has also been reported.

Nervous system

One study has reported 8 of 49 patients treated with high dose cytarabine developed cerebellar and cerebral toxicity. In another study 4 out of 24 patients developed treated with high dose cytarabine were reported to have developed cerebellar degeneration during treatment. Acute cerebellar toxicity after high dose cytarabine has been associated with CNS accumulation of its metabolite, uracil arabinoside.

Nervous system side effects have been reported in up to 10% of patients and have included neuritis, neural toxicity, cerebellar toxicity, lethargy, confusion, and headache.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including oral and anal inflammation or ulceration, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been reported frequently. Bowel necrosis, stomatitis, and pancreatitis have also been reported.

Nausea and vomiting have been reported most frequently following rapid intravenous injection.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects including hepatic dysfunction have been reported frequently. Jaundice has also been reported.

General

General side effects including fever have been reported frequently. Chest pain, abdominal pain, and dizziness have also been reported.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including rash have been reported frequently. Skin ulceration, freckling, alopecia, pruritus, and urticaria have also been reported. A case of severe Henoch-Schonlein purpura has been reported.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including thrombophlebitis and bleeding have been reported frequently. Pericarditis has also been reported.

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects including sepsis and pneumonia have been reported.

Local

Local side effects including cellulitis at the injection site have been reported.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including urinary retention and renal dysfunction have been reported.

Ocular

Ocular side effects including conjunctivitis have been reported.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects including anaphylaxis and allergic edema have been reported.

Other

Other side effects have included a syndrome of fever, conjunctival suffusion, and maculopapular rash which has been reported primarily in children who received large cumulative doses of cytarabine.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.