MedicinehospitalEssential

Cytarabine

A chemotherapy injection used mainly to treat acute leukaemias.

Clinical information

Common uses

remission induction in acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia
acute lymphocytic leukaemia
blast phase of chronic myelocytic leukaemia
meningeal leukaemia (given into spinal fluid)

Common side effects

loss of appetite
nausea and vomiting
diarrhoea
mouth and anal sores or ulcers
fever and rash

Cautions

strong bone marrow suppressant — infection and bleeding risk
needs close hospital monitoring with daily blood counts
cytarabine syndrome: fever, muscle and bone pain, rash

Interactions

digoxin (levels may fall — monitor)
gentamicin (may work less well against some bacteria)
flucytosine (its effect may be inhibited)

Pregnancy: avoid — can harm the baby, especially in the first trimester

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, cytarabine injection label, setid 277597b0-7d85-40a3-a34a-70c6a883fc6d (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations3

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Cytarabine	Parenteral ( Injection )	100mg/5ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Cytarabine	Parenteral ( Injection )	500mg/5ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Cytarabine	Parenteral ( Injection )	100mg/1ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital