Cytarabine syndrome

Consequences of a therapy with the synthetic pyrimidine nucleoside cytarabine. Cytarabine differs from the physiological nucleosides cytidine and deoxycytidine only in the sugar content: instead of ribose or deoxyribose, arabinose occurs in the cytarabine molecule. Cytarabine is a pyrimidine antagonist.

The cytarabin syndrome manifests itself through fever, muscle and bone pain, and occasionally chest pain. Other symptoms: maculopapular exanthema, conjunctivitis and general feeling of illness. Cytarabine syndrome and usually occurs 6-12 hours after administration of the drug.

For treatment or prophylaxis, the administration of corticosteroids has proven to be helpful. If the symptoms are considered treatable, the combined use of corticosteroids should be considered with continued therapy.

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