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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
+ Not commercially available in Canada.
Liposomal cytarabine (LIP-oh-som-al sye-TARE-a-been)belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics. It is used to treat cancer of the lymph system that has spread to the brain.
Liposomal cytarabine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by the medicine, other effects may also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Some effects may occur after treatment with liposomal cytarabine has been stopped.
Before you begin treatment with liposomal cytarabine, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Liposomal cytarabine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For liposomal cytarabine, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to cytarabine or liposomal cytarabine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Liposomal cytarabine has not been studied in humans, but has been found to cause birth defects or other problems in rats and mice.
Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before starting treatment with this medicine. It is best to use birth control while you are receiving liposomal cytarabine. Also, tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant during treatment.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether liposomal cytarabine passes into the breast milk. However, liposomal cytarabine is not recommended during breast-feeding because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of liposomal cytarabine in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of liposomal cytarabine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if your are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of liposomal cytarabine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
This medicine often causes nausea and vomiting. However, it is very important that you continue to receive the medicine, even if you begin to feel ill . Ask your health care professional for ways to lessen these effects.
Dosing--Dosing--
The dose of liposomal
cytarabine will be different for different patients. The dose that is used
may depend on a number of things, including the patient's weight and whether
or not other medicines are also being taken. If you have any questions about
the proper dose of cytarabine, ask your doctor. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits
to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for
unwanted effects. Along with its needed effects,
a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side
effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side
effects occur: More common Less common Rare Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical
attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts
to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side
effects continue or are bothersome: Less Common Constipation; urinary incontinence Other side effects not listed above may also occur in
some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 08/19/99
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Side Effects of This Medicine
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