Cytarabine is a cell cycle-specific (S phase) antimetabolite that inhibits cell development from the G1 to the S phase.

♦ Induction of remission in acute myelogenous (non-lymphocytic) leukemia

♦ Induction of remission in acute lymphocytic leukemia

♦ Meningeal leukemia and other meningeal neoplasms

♦ Chronic myelogenous leukemia

Rapidly and extensively metabolized, mainly in the liver, and excreted in the urine. Half-life: 1 to 3 hours.

♦ Induction of remission in acute leukemia: As a single agent, 200 mg/m² by continuous IV infusion for 5 days at 2-week intervals. In combination therapy, the usual dosage is 2 to 6 mg/kg daily or 100 to 200 mg/m² daily by continuous IV infusion or in 2 or 3 divided doses by rapid injection or IV infusion for 5 to 10 days until remission is attained.

♦ Maintenance therapy: Usually given as a single dose of 1.0 or 1.5 mg/kg IM or SQ at intervals of 1 to 4 weeks or at 70 to 200 mg/m² daily by rapid injection or continuous IV infusion for 2 to 5 days at monthly intervals.

♦ Refractory acute leukemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: IV infusion of 3 g/m² every 12 hours for up to 12 doses. IV infusion can be given over 1 to 3 hours.

♦ Meningeal leukemia/neoplasms: Intrathecal injection of 5 to 75 mg/m² or 30 to 100 mg/m² once every 4 days until cerebrospinal fluid findings return to normal; give one additional dose. Modify dose in the presence of systemic toxicity.