Cytarabine

Cytarabine is a chemotherapy medicine used to treat certain types of cancer and leukaemia. This page explains what cytarabine is, how it is given and some of the possible side effects. Each person reacts differently to medicines, so your child will not necessarily suffer from every side effect mentioned. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.Cytarabine is usually given in one of three ways:

• By a slow injection or infusion into a vein (intravenously or IV) through a cannula, central venous catheter, implantable port or PICC line. 
• By injection under the skin (subcutaneously or ‘SC’).
• By injection through a needle which is inserted into one of the spaces between the bones in the lower back. This is known as a lumbar puncture or intrathecal administration of medicine. 

The side effects listed below are more common when higher doses of cytarabine are given to your child as an inpatient. If your child is receiving lower doses of cytarabine as an outpatient, the side effects are likely to be less frequent and less severe.

Anti-sickness drugs can be given to reduce or prevent these symptoms. Please tell your doctor or nurse if your child’s sickness is very bad or continues for more than a few days.

These tend to occur six to twelve hours after the medicine is given. Your child may have headaches and tiredness, aching joints and muscles, a high temperature and chills.

Paracetamol may be given to relieve these symptoms only if your child is not neutropenic. However, if your child is having cytarabine at home and has a raised temperature of 38.0°C or above, you should contact your shared care hospital. They should not be given paracetamol. If your child complains of hot or cold flushes during the administration of cytarabine they will need a medical review at your shared care hospital.

There will be a temporary reduction in how well your child’s bone marrow works. This means they may become anaemic (reduced red blood cells), bruise or bleed more easily than usual, and have a higher risk of infection.

Your child’s blood counts will be checked regularly to see how the bone marrow is working. Please tell your doctor if your child seems unusually tired, has bruising or bleeding, or any signs of infection, especially a high temperature.

Eye inflammation, infection or red eye can occur when high doses of the medicine are given. Eye drops will be given to prevent this.

Your child may get painful or bleeding gums, ulcers or a sore mouth. You will be given advice about appropriate mouth care including a copy of our leaflet. If your child complains of having a sore mouth, please tell your doctor or nurse.

If your child has a sore mouth, they will often also have a sore tummy too. This can cause pain and bloating as well as diarrhoea. Please tell your doctor or nurse if your child has diarrhoea which is very bad or continues for more than a few days. It is important that your child drinks lots of fluids.

Cytarabine can cause an itchy rash. Please tell your doctor or nurse if your child develops a rash. They will advise you on the appropriate treatment to use.

This is very rare and only occurs when high doses are given. If you notice these effects it is important to report them to your doctor immediately.

Your child may lose some or all of their hair or it may become thinner. This is temporary and the hair will grow back once the treatment is finished.

Some medicines can react with cytarabine, altering how well it works. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicine, including medicines on prescription from your family doctor (GP), medicines bought from a pharmacy (chemist) or any herbal or complementary medicines.

Cytarabine is a relatively stable product and short term changes in temperature up to 40°C should not affect the given expiry date. When taking cytarabine syringes home, reduce temperature changes by keeping the syringes out of direct sunlight and keep them in an insulated container if you are travelling a long way. Please discuss this further with nursing staff.

• Store the cytarabine inside a plastic container in the bag supplied by the Pharmacy Cytotoxic Unit at GOSH in a normal domestic fridge as soon as you return home.
• Keep the box out of the reach of children and away from any food. It must not be frozen. Please remove from the fridge 30 minutes before use to let it reach room temperature.
• If the cytarabine syringes are out of the fridge for more than six hours, contact GOSH for advice.

Spillage is unlikely as each cytarabine dose is packaged in a sealed bag. However, if a spillage does occur follow the advice below:

• If contact occurs with your skin, you must wash the area immediately, using plenty of water. If the skin is sore you should contact your GP (family doctor) for advice.
• If contact occurs with your eyes, wash immediately with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes. If your eyes are sore after this, you should go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
• If you spill any cytotoxic medicines on the work surface or floor, wearing gloves, cover the spillage with kitchen paper. Wipe the area with water then clean with household cleaner and water. Used kitchen paper and other items used to clean up the spillage should be double bagged and disposed of with the household waste.
• If any cytotoxic medicine is spilt on clothing, the spill should be blotted dry with kitchen paper. Clothing should be removed immediately and washed separately from other items. Used kitchen paper should be disposed of as above. 

• Keep all medicines in a safe place where children cannot reach them.
• You should handle this medicine with care, avoiding touching it where possible. If you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant, please discuss handling instructions with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Please see our Special handling requirements information sheet for further details.
• If you forget to give your child a dose, do not give a double dose. Inform your doctor or nurse and keep to your child’s regular schedule.
• If your doctor decides to stop treatment with cytarabine or the medicine passes its expiry date, return any remaining syringes to the pharmacist. Do not flush them down the toilet or throw them away.