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Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Cytosar-U, Depocyt, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682222 |
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Routes of administration | injectable (intravenous injection or infusion, intrathecal, or subcutaneously) |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 20% by mouth |
Protein binding | 13% |
Metabolism | Liver |
Elimination half-life | biphasic: 10 min, 1–3 hr |
Excretion | Kidney |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.005.188 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C9H13N3O5 |
Molar mass | 243.219 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Cytarabine, also known as cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), is a chemotherapy medication used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.[2] It is given by injection into a vein, under the skin, or into the cerebrospinal fluid.[2] There is a liposomal formulation for which there is tentative evidence of better outcomes in lymphoma involving the meninges.[2]
Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, vomiting, diarrhea, liver problems, rash, ulcer formation in the mouth, and bleeding.[2] Other serious side effects include loss of consciousness, lung disease, and allergic reactions.[2] Use during pregnancy may harm the baby.[2] Cytarabine is in the antimetabolite and nucleoside analog families of medication.[3] It works by blocking the function of DNA polymerase.[2]
Cytarabine was patented in 1960 and approved for medical use in 1969.[4] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[5]