Best treatments for leukemia
7 products may treat leukemia, spanning FDA drug classes such as nucleoside metabolic inhibitor, topoisomerase inhibitor, retinoid. The current highest-rated option is cytarabine. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 7 drugs we list for leukemia, 2 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as nucleoside metabolic inhibitor, topoisomerase inhibitor, retinoid. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for leukemia — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Top-rated picks for leukemia: 1. Cytarabine · 2. Camptosar · 3. Absorica
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 2 | 64/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Topoisomerase Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Retinoid | Generic | $155 | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Retinoid | Generic | $155 | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | Topoisomerase Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | Topoisomerase Inhibitor | No data | — | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Menin Inhibitor | No data | — | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: topoisomerase inhibitor · retinoid
Full ranking · 7 treatments
cytarabine
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cytarabine is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor used to treat Leukemia, Lymphoma, Meningeal Neoplasms.
Price varies
camptosar
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Camptosar (Irinotecan Hydrochloride) is a topoisomerase inhibitor used to treat Breast Neoplasms, Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma, Colonic Neoplasms, Leukemia.
Price varies
absorica
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Absorica (Isotretinoin) is a retinoid used to treat Acne Vulgaris, Leukemia, Neuroblastoma.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$120.07/30· 5 forms Save up to 31% in classabsorica ld
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Absorica Ld (Isotretinoin) is a retinoid used to treat Acne Vulgaris, Leukemia, Neuroblastoma.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$120.07/30· 5 forms Save up to 31% in classirinotecan hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Irinotecan Hydrochloride is a topoisomerase inhibitor used to treat Breast Neoplasms, Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma, Colonic Neoplasms, Leukemia.
Price varies
onivyde
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Onivyde (Irinotecan Hydrochloride) is a topoisomerase inhibitor used to treat Breast Neoplasms, Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma, Colonic Neoplasms, Leukemia.
Price varies
Frequently asked
- What treats leukemia?
- Our catalog lists 7 products that may treat leukemia, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is cytarabine.
- What is the best-rated treatment for leukemia?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — cytarabine ranks highest among the products we list for leukemia. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat leukemia?
- Treatments for leukemia span FDA drug classes including nucleoside metabolic inhibitor, topoisomerase inhibitor, retinoid, menin inhibitor. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.