Cytarabine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 6, 2024.

Applies to cytarabine: parenteral conventional cytarabine injection, parenteral conventional cytarabine powder for injection, parenteral liposomal cytarabine injection.

Side effects include:

IV, sub-Q, or IM administration of conventional cytarabine: Myelosuppression, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oral and anal inflammation or ulceration, hepatic dysfunction, fever, rash, thrombophlebitis, bleeding (all sites).

Intrathecal administration of conventional cytarabine: Nausea, vomiting, fever, transient headaches.

Intrathecal administration of liposomal cytarabine: Chemical arachnoiditis (neck rigidity, neck pain, meningism, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, back pain, and/or CSF pleocytosis), asthenia, pain, confusion, somnolence.

No formal drug interaction studies conducted with liposomal cytarabine to date.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to cytarabine: injectable powder for injection, injectable solution.

Ocular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, corneal disorder
• Common (1% to 10%): Photophobia, burning, visual disturbance, increased lacrimation, keratitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis
• Frequency not reported: Blindness^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Somnolence
• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased level of consciousness, dysarthria, nystagmus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Neurotoxicity, neuritis, dizziness, headache, peripheral neuropathy, paraplegia (with intrathecal administration)
• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, neurotoxicity rash, coma, convulsion, peripheral sensory neuropathy, ataxia, tremor, coma, convulsions^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Arrhythmia
• Frequency not reported: Pericarditis, cardiomyopathy^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Bone marrow failure, thrombocytopenia, anemia, megaloblastic anemia, leukopenia, reticulocyte count decreased
• Common (1% to 10%): Bleeding (all sites), thrombophlebitis
• Frequency not reported: Reticulocytopenia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anaphylactic reaction, allergic edema^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Sepsis, infection
• Frequency not reported: Viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or saprophytic infections, in any location in the body (sometimes fatal)^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site cellulitis, injection site thrombophlebitis
• Frequency not reported: Injection site pain, injection site inflammation, injection site irritation, injection site sepsis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Cytarabine syndrome (e.g., fever, myalgia, bone pain, occasionally chest pain, exanthema, maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis, nausea, malaise)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myalgia, joint pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, hyperuricemia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Personality change, confusion^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention
• Frequency not reported: Amenorrhea, azoospermia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Hepatic function abnormal
• Common (1% to 10%): Liver enzymes increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Jaundice
• Frequency not reported: Liver abscess, hyperbilirubinemia, hepatomegaly, Budd-Chiari-syndrome (hepatic venous thrombosis)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary edema
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Shortness of breath^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal dysfunction^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia, rash
• Common (1% to 10%): Skin ulceration, erythema, bullous dermatitis, vasculitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lentigo, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, urticaria, pruritus, freckling, burning pain of palms and soles
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis
• Frequency not reported: Skin bleeding^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Stomatitis, mouth ulceration, anal ulcer, anal inflammation, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain
• Common (1% to 10%): Necrotizing colitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sore throat, esophagitis, esophageal ulceration, bowel necrosis
• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, bowel necrosis, GI ulcer, pneumatosis intestinalis, peritonitis, mucosal bleeding^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What drugs are contained in Vyxeos?

Further information

Cytarabine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer