Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEPOCYT versus LYSODREN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DEPOCYT versus LYSODREN.
DEPOCYT vs LYSODREN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Cytarabine is a nucleoside analog that inhibits DNA polymerase, leading to termination of DNA chain elongation and cell death in the S phase of the cell cycle.
Adrenocorticolytic agent; causes adrenal cortical necrosis and suppresses adrenal steroidogenesis, especially glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.
50 mg intrathecally via lumbar puncture or intraventricularly via Ommaya reservoir on days 1, 15, 29, 43, 57, 71, 85, and 99 for induction; followed by consolidation and maintenance doses. Administer with dexamethasone 4 mg PO/IV twice daily for 5 days starting on the day of DepoCyt injection.
Oral, initial dose 2-6 g/day divided in 3-4 doses, increase gradually to 8-10 g/day. Maximum dose 18 g/day.
None Documented
None Documented
After intrathecal administration, the terminal half-life of cytarabine in CSF is 2.5-4.5 hours (mean 3.5 hours) due to slow clearance from CSF; systemic half-life is 10-15 minutes due to rapid deamination.
18-159 days; clinical context: during chronic therapy, steady-state may not be reached for 3-6 months.
Renal excretion of cytarabine metabolites accounts for >70% of elimination; unchanged cytarabine excretion is minimal (<10%). Biliary/fecal excretion is negligible (<5%).
Primarily renal excretion of metabolites; about 10% as unchanged drug. Biliary/fecal excretion accounts for <5%.
Category C
Category C
Antineoplastic
Antineoplastic