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Generic Name: Arabinosylcytosine
Brand Name(s): Cytosar-U®, ara-C
IUPAC: 4-amino-1-[(2R,3S,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]pyrimidin-2-one
FDA Approval: yes
Manufacturer Link
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Usage: Malignancies for which cytarabine is used include: Acute non-lymphocytic
leukemia, Acute lymphocytic leukemia and Chronic myelocytic leukemia. Cytarabine (Cytosar-U®, ara-C) is administered as an infusion or as in injection under the skin.
Mechanism: Arabinosylcytosine or cytarabine (Cytosar-U®, ara-C) is an antimetabolite that acts as a pyrimidine antagonist. It is thought that its primary activity is interrupting
DNA synthesis.
Side Effects: Common side effects include: bone marrow suppression, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, oral/anal
inflammation or ulceration, rash, fever. Cytarabine (Cytosar-U®, ara-C) is a suppressor of bone marrow activity. It is important to monitor blood cell and platelet counts throughout the duration of treatment with blood tests done often.
(1)Contraindications: Cytarabine should not be taken by women who are pregnant and patients should not become pregnant while using this drug, as it may have harmful affects on the developing fetus.
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