Cytarabine lipid complex injection must be given in a hospital or medical facility under the supervision of a doctor who is experienced in giving chemotherapy medications for cancer.
Cytarabine lipid complex injection may cause a serious or life threatening reaction. Your doctor will give you a medication to prevent this reaction and will monitor you carefully after you receive a dose of cytarabine lipid complex. If you experience the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately: nausea, vomiting, headache, and fever.
Cytarabine lipid complex is used to treat lymphomatous meningitis (a type of cancer in the covering of the spinal cord and brain). Cytarabine lipid complex is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body.
Cytarabine lipid complex comes as a liquid to be injected intrathecally (into the fluid-filled space of the spinal canal) over 1 to 5 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. At first, cytarabine lipid complex is given as five doses spaced 2 weeks apart (at weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9); then 4 weeks later, five more doses are given spaced 4 weeks apart (at weeks 13, 17, 21, 25, and 29). You will have to lay flat for 1 hour after you receive a dose of cytarabine lipid complex injection.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
diarrhea
constipation
stomach pain
tiredness
weakness
muscle or joint pain
trouble falling or staying asleep
sudden change or loss of vision or hearing
dizziness
fainting
confusion or memory loss
seizure
numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
loss of bowel or bladder control
loss of feeling or movement on one side of the body
difficulty walking or unsteady walking
sudden fever, severe headache, and stiff neck
difficulty breathing or swallowing
rash
hives
itching
unusual bleeding or bruising
fever, sore throat, ongoing cough and congestion, or other signs of infection
Cytarabine lipid complex may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to cytarabine lipid complex.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Revised - 02/15/2012
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.