Fluorouracil
About
Fluorouracil belongs to a group of anti-cancer medicines called 'antimetabolites' used to treat breast, colon, rectum, pancreatic and stomach/gastric cancer. Cancer is a disease in which cells divide uncontrollably. Cancer can be localized (benign) or spread to the whole body (metastasized).
Fluorouracil contains 'Fluorouracil' that works by interfering with the growth of genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This prevents the cancer cells from multiplying and growing and eventually kills them.
In some cases, Fluorouracil may cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, increased risk of infection, hair loss, diarrhoea, decreased blood cells, and mouth ulcers. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency, heart problems, bone marrow depression, kidney disease, liver disease, or if you are on treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. Avoid taking Fluorouracil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Both women and men on treatment with Fluorouracil should use birth control to avoid pregnancy.
Uses of Fluorouracil
Medicinal Benefits
Fluorouracil belongs to a group of anti-cancer medicines called 'antimetabolites' used to treat breast, colon, rectum, pancreatic and stomach/gastric cancer. Fluorouracil contains 'Fluorouracil' that works by interfering with the growth of genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This prevents the cancer cells from multiplying and growing and eventually kills them.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Fluorouracil
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Increased risk of infection
- Hair loss
- Diarrhoea
- Decreased blood cells
- Mouth ulcer
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you have any infection, a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency, heart problems, bone marrow depression, kidney disease, liver disease, or if you are on treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant because Fluorouracil can cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. Women and men using Fluorouracil should use birth control to avoid pregnancy. The use of Fluorouracil by either parent may result in congenital disabilities. Fluorouracil should be used with caution in elderly patients. If you have had leukaemia (blood cancer) and are in remission, do not take live vaccines for three months after your last chemotherapy.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Fluorouracil interacts with other anti-cancer medicines (methotrexate, cisplatin, cytarabine, mitomycin-C, tamoxifen), antibiotics (metronidazole), medicines used to reduce the harmful effects of anti-cancer medicines (calcium leucovorin), a medicine used to treat gout (allopurinol), a medicine used to treat stomach ulcers (cimetidine), blood thinner (warfarin), antivirals (interferon-alpha 2a, brivudine, sorivudine), anti-epilepsy medicine (phenytoin), vaccines (rubella, mumps, measles, BCG, shingles).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction was found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have myelosuppression (bone marrow activity is decreased), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency, stomatitis, infections, bleeding disorder or coronary artery disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Fluorouracil to prevent unpleasant side effects. Alcohol intake, along with Fluorouracil, may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended for pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Fluorouracil.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended for breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and harm your infant. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Fluorouracil. Your doctor may suggest you stop feeding while on treatment with this medicine.
Driving
unsafeFluorouracil may cause dizziness and drowsiness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Fluorouracil. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a history of kidney diseases, inform your doctor before receiving Fluorouracil. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeFluorouracil is not recommended for children, as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, and herbs in your diet.
- Avoid fast food, fried food, processed meats, refined carbs and added sugars.
- Get optimal sleep, and rest well.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may suggest routine blood tests to monitor your liver function, electrolyte levels, and blood cell count.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Breast cancer: It is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells stimulated by a female sex hormone called oestrogen. Breast cancer may form in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), and the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. The tumour cells invade other healthy breast cells and travel to lymph nodes, a primary pathway for the cancer cells to move to other body parts. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast or tissue thickening, which feels different than the normal surrounding tissues, breast pain, redness, swelling, and nipple discharge other than breast milk.
Stomach Cancer (gastric cancer): It is a type of cancer that develops from the stomach lining. Risk factors may include smoking, a highly processed or salty diet, and severe bacterial infection of H. pylori. Symptoms of stomach cancer include feeling bloated after eating, feeling full after eating small amounts of food, nausea, heartburn or indigestion.
FAQs
Fluorouracil works by interfering with the growth of genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them.
Yes, Fluorouracil affects the hair by making it thin, which further causes hair loss. However, it is not very common. Hair reduction possibly happens due to the estrogen-lowering effect of Fluorouracil. These effects are not long-lasting and may return after some time. If it matters to you, then consult your doctor for further advice.
Yes, Fluorouracil may change the results of blood tests and other laboratory tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Fluorouracil.
$nanme might affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. You may not be able to become pregnant or father a child after treatment with Fluorouracil. However, it is essential to talk to your doctor before starting treatment with Fluorouracil if you think you may want to have a baby in the future.
