Summary: Following the 2017 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) guidelines, we changed our practice from using high‐dose cytarabine (HIDAC‐3 g/m2 q12h‐D1,3,5) to intermediate‐dose cytarabine (IDAC‐1·5 g/m2 q12h‐D1,3,5/D1–3) for consolidation in young(<60 years) favourable‐risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. We assessed the clinical impact of this practice change. Of 80 patients, 51 received HIDAC prior to the protocol change, and subsequently, 29 received IDAC. The three‐year risk of relapse was significantly higher with IDAC [61%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 40–82] compared with HIDAC (22%; 10–34), P < 0·01. Our findings suggest HIDAC, rather than IDAC, is the preferred dose for single‐agent cytarabine consolidation in young, favourable‐risk AML following 7+3 induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]