FLUOROURACIL

Antimetabolite anticancer medicine

Dosage Forms

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Injection

50 mg/ml

Uses

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  • Colorectal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Cervical, prostate, ovary, endometrial cancer
  • Liver tumours
  • Head and neck tumours

Dose and Duration

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  • Dose and duration depend on the cancer being treated
Initial treatment:
15 mg/kg by IV infusion over 1−4 hours; repeat daily until a total dose of 12−15 g has been reached. Total daily dose should not exceed 1 gram
Maintenance dose:
give after 4−6 weeks when side effects of initial treatment have resolved

Contraindications

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  • Hypersensitivity to fluorouracil
  • Bone marrow depression
  • Severe infections

Side Effects

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  • Myelosuppression
  • Erythema of hands and feet (palmar−plantar syndrome)
  • Mucositis
  • Diarrhoea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Alopecia
  • ECG changes; angina pectoris-like pain
  • CNS toxicity

Interactions

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  • Allopurinol
  • Warfarin (increased effect of warfarin)
  • Clozapine (increased risk of agranulocytosis)
  • Live vaccines (risk of developing disease)

Pregnancy

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  • Do not use

Breast-feeding

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  • Discontinue breastfeeding

Storage

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  • After reconstitution, store between 2−8°C; use within 24 hours

⚠️ Caution

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  • Reduce dose in patients with cachexia, major surgery within 30 days, reduced bone marrow function, impaired renal or hepatic function
  • Irritant to skin. Avoid direct contact
  • Capecitabine is a pro-drug of fluorouracil
  • Anticancer medicines should only be handled by health workers trained and experienced in cytotoxic medicines