What is a potential side effect of intrathecal methotrexate?
This medicine causes very few side effects. When given intrathecally, most of the discomfort is as a result of the method of giving the drug. Intrathecal methotrexate can occasionally cause headaches, dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision or loss of balance for a few hours. It may help to lie down afterwards.
How long do the side effects of cytarabine last?
Dizziness, headache, excessive sleepiness, confusion, loss of balance may occur in up to 10% of patients receiving high dose therapy. Onset is usually 5 days after treatment and may last up to 1 week. More often these toxicities are mild and reversible.
What is the side effect of cytarabine?
The Cytarabine (Ara-C) Syndrome
A cytarabine syndrome has been described by Castleberry. It is characterized by fever, myalgia, bone pain, occasionally chest pain, maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis and malaise. It usually occurs 6 to 12 hours following drug administration.
What are the side effects of cytarabine Ara C and idarubicin?
Side Effects
- Hair loss (nearly all patients will lose their hair temporarily)
- Mouth ulcers [mucositis] (15%)
- Neutropenic fever (8 – 29%)
- Nausea or vomiting (exact % is unknown)
- Decreased appetite (exact % is unknown)
- Bleeding (1%)
What should you avoid while taking methotrexate?
There are no specific foods that you need to avoid while taking methotrexate. However, methotrexate may reduce your ability to fight infection. Therefore, it’s best to avoid unpasteurised milk and soft cheeses.
What are the long term side effects of methotrexate?
Anxiety.
Do you lose your hair with cytarabine?
Your hair may become thin, brittle, or may fall out. This typically begins two to three weeks after treatment starts. This hair loss can be all body hair, including pubic, underarm, legs/arms, eyelashes, and nose hairs.
What should I watch for cytarabine?
Cytarabine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- diarrhea.
- stomach pain.
- loss of appetite.
- sores in the mouth and throat.
- hair loss.
- muscle or joint pain.
How toxic is cytarabine?
Adverse effects from high-dose cytarabine (2-3 g/m2) include severe and occasionally fatal CNS, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal or pulmonary toxicity, as well as corneal toxicity or conjunctivitis (may be hemorrhagic). Ocular toxicity is minimized by prophylactic use of ophthalmic corticosteroids.
Does Ara C cause hair loss?
How do you treat cytarabine syndrome?
The recommended treatment protocol for Cytarabine syndrome is per oral (PO)steroid prophylaxis with Prednisolone 10mg daily which may be increased to 10mg tds or changed to PO Dexamethasone 8 mg daily, this may also be increased to twice daily.
Is methotrexate a high risk medication?
Methotrexate is a high-alert drug, and extra safeguards are needed whenever it is prescribed, dispensed, and administered, regardless of the setting, dose, or indication for use. While severe harm and fatalities have occurred during hospitalization, many of the adverse outcomes have occurred after discharge.
What happens if you don’t take folic acid with methotrexate?
You should take folic acid with methotrexate to help prevent a folate deficiency. Taking methotrexate can lower levels of folate in your body. A folate deficiency can lead to symptoms like upset stomach, low blood cell counts, tiredness, muscle weakness, mouth sores, liver toxicity and nervous system symptoms.
What are the dangers of methotrexate?
Methotrexate can sometimes cause side effects, which may include:
- feeling sick.
- headaches.
- vomiting.
- diarrhoea.
- shortness of breath.
- mouth ulcers.
- minor hair loss and hair thinning.
- rashes.
What is the most common complication of methotrexate?
GI problems such as nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects associated with methotrexate, affecting between 20% and 65% of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who take the drug. Up to one-third develop mouth ulcers or sores. Many also complain of headaches, fatigue and an overall “blah” feeling.
How effective is cytarabine?
The overall survival data with the use of cytarabine in conventional and high dose regimen is approximately 40% with remission rates of 70–80% and relapse-free 5 years survival of 40-70%[15]. Standard intensive treatment improves early death rates and long-term survival compared with palliation.
Is cytarabine a chemotherapy?
Cytarabine is a type of chemotherapy drug and is also known by its brand name, Ara C. It is a treatment for: acute leukaemias (cancers of the blood)
Does hair grow back after brain radiation?
Hair will usually begin to grow again 2 to 3 months after treatment is over. Some patients may find that the new hair growth is thinner or more sparse than before and the texture or color may have changed. UNTIL HAIR LOSS OCCURS: Pat dry with a soft towel, avoid hair blowers or dryers.
What are the worst side effects of methotrexate?
Methotrexate may cause serious or life-threatening skin reactions. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever, rash, blisters, or peeling skin. Methotrexate may decrease the activity of your immune system, and you may develop serious infections.