Cytarabine (Cytosar)

Warning. Only physicians experienced in cancer chemotherapy should use Cytosar. For induction therapy patients should be hospitalized in a facility with laboratory and supportive resources sufficient to monitor drug tolerance and protect and maintain a patient compromised by drug toxicity. The main toxic effect of Cytosar is bone marrow suppression with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia. Less serious toxicity includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, oral ulceration, and possibly hepatic dysfunction. The physician must judge possible benefit to his patient against known toxic effects of this drug in considering the advisability of therapy with Cytosar. He should be familiar with the following text before making this judgement or beginning treatment.