Cytarabine is a chemotherapy medication used for the treatment of various cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and meningitis. This drug is also referred to as cytosine arabinoside or Ara-C. Additional synonyms for cytarabine include cytosar, depocyt, and tarabine. These names are all used interchangeably to describe the same drug. Cytarabine works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells. It is typically administered directly into the bloodstream via injection or infusion. While it can be an effective treatment option, it can also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and increased susceptibility to infections.