Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment
Cytarabine injection (Cytosar) is used in adults and children. It falls under a group of drugs known as cytotoxics; these drugs are used for the aml all cml treatment (AML, ALL, CML). It interferes with the growth of cancerous cells, which are eventually destroyed.
This drug can also be recommended for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
What things you need to know before using Cytarabine injection?
Use of cytarabine 100 mg inj is not recommended:
If you're allergic to cytarabine, or any of the existing ingredients of this Injection.
In case the cell count in the blood is decreased due to any other cause except than cancer, or as decided by your healthcare practitioner.
If you have increased difficulties in body coordination following the radiation treatment with another anticancer drug such as methotrexate.
- Warnings and precautions:
- Discuss with your healthcare practitioner before using cytarabine 100 mg inj. Special care should be imposed with Cytarabine injection
- In case your bone marrow is in a low state, therapy needs to be started under medical supervision.
- In case you have complications with your liver.
- The
cytosar 100mg inj strongly reduces the production of blood cells in the bone marrow. This may make individuals more prone to infections or bleeding.
- Life-threatening adverse reactions may occur in the central nervous system, the bowels or lungs.
- Patients should be monitored for liver and kidney functions during the therapy of cytarabine. In case the liver is not working properly before treatment, cytarabine 100 mg should be given only with utmost care.
- Uric acid levels in the blood may be increased while on treatment. Your healthcare professional will instruct you if you require to take any drug in order to control this.
- Inform your healthcare practitioner if you have received radiotherapy.
How to use Cytarabine injection?
Cytarabine is recommended to be given by infusion into a vein or by injection into a vein or by subcutaneous injection under the guidance of specialists in clinic/hospital. On behalf of your condition, your healthcare practitioner will determine the dose of cytarabine 100 mg drug, whether you are in induction or maintenance therapy and your body surface area. Body weight as well as height will be considered in order to calculate the body surface area.
Possible side effects: Like all drugs, Cytarabine injection can cause side effects, although not each individual gets them.
- Side effects of this drug mainly are dependent on the dose. Common side effects due to cytosar 100mg inj are as follows:
- Fever
- Abnormal blood cells
- Loss of appetite
- Swallowing difficulty
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Reddening (erythema)
- Vasculitis
- Hair loss
- Increased enzyme levels
- Vision disturbance
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Watery or burning eyes
- Inflammation of the cornea
- Reduced consciousness
- Speaking difficulties
- Hyperuricemia
- Vein inflammation at the site of injection
- How to store Cytarabine injection?
- Keep cytarabine injection out of the reach and sight of children.
- Do not store above 25° C.
- Do not refrigerate or freeze.
- Avoid using Cytarabine injection following the expiry date printed on the vial/carton label.
NOTE: The information provided in this article is only for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis, of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
FAQ's
What is the most aggressive form of leukemia?
It is believed that the Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is an aggressive form of acute myeloid leukemia.
What is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia?
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that primarily affects white blood cells (WBC). It is also known as ALL, which is the most common childhood cancer. This cancer occurs when a bone marrow cell forms errors in its DNA.
Can adults get acute lymphocytic leukemia?
Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children. Adults can also get acute lymphocytic leukemia, though the possibility of a cure is greatly decreased.
Who gets Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia could occur in individuals of all ages, but is quite common in kids ages 2 to 5.
Certain risk factors for kids may include:
- having an identical twin who had the illness prior to the age 6.
- having an inherited genetic problem (such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Down syndrome)
- being a fraternal twin and other sibling of a child with leukemia.
- getting drugs in order to suppress the immune system following an organ transplant.
- exposure to X-rays prior to the birth.
- earlier chemotherapy or radiation treatment for other types of cancer.
How do you get ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) occurs when a bone marrow cell forms changes (mutations) in its genetic material or DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that indicate to a cell what to perform. Generally, the DNA signals the cell to grow at a fixed rate and to die at a fixed time.
How long do cytarabine side effects last?
In approximately 10% of patients with high dose therapy, dizziness, headache, excessive sleepiness, confusion, loss of balance may occur. Onset is about 5 days following the treatment and may last up to 7 days. These toxicities basically are mild and reversible.
What is the most common age for childhood leukemia?
The acute lymphocytic leukemia in children is the most common leukemia that basically affects most often children between the ages of 2 and 3 years.
How to diagnose acute lymphocytic leukemia?
- For the acute lymphocytic leukemia diagnosis, certain tests and procedures are used to which include:
- Blood tests
- Bone marrow test
- Imaging tests
- Spinal fluid test
