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FLUOROURACIL, 5-FU (Adrucil®) is a chemotherapy agent used for treating many types of cancer including colon and rectal
cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, and cancer of the head and neck. Fluorouracil interferes with the growth of cancer cells.
Generic fluorouracil injections are available.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
·bleeding problems
·blood disorders
·dental disease
·heart disease
·infection (especially virus infection such as chickenpox or herpes)
·liver disease or jaundice
·recent radiation therapy
·an unusual or allergic reaction to fluorouracil, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
·pregnant or trying to get pregnant
·breast-feeding
Fluorouracil is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health-care
professional.
It is important not to miss your dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
·allopurinol
·cimetidine
·digoxin
·metronidazole
·other chemotherapy agents and radiation therapy may increase some side effects of fluorouracil
·vaccines
·warfarin
Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
·aspirin
·acetaminophen
·ibuprofen
·ketoprofen
·naproxen
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines,
nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks
with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your
health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Fluorouracil may cause different side effects depending upon the dose, how it is given, other chemotherapy agents, or if radition
therapy is given. Not all of these effects occur in all patients. Discuss the possible side effects of your therapy with your prescriber
or health care professional.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
·low blood counts - fluorouracil may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at
increased risk for infections and bleeding.
·pain, swelling, redness or irritation at the injection site
·signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
·signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
·signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
·chest pain
·confusion
·diarrhea, especially more frequent and/or severe watery diarrhea
·difficulty breathing
·drowsiness
·mouth sores
·nausea, vomiting
·stomach pain
·tingling of the hands and feet, followed by pain, swelling and redness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are
bothersome):
·constipation
·dark colored skin
·hair loss
·headache
·increased sensitivity of the skin and eyes to sun and ultraviolet light
·indigestion
·loss of appetite
·skin rash, itching
·watering eyes (tearing), eye irritation
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side
effects of fluorouracil can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.
Fluorouracil may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because fluorouracil affects good cells as well as cancer
cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or
health care professional tells you to stop.
Fluorouracil may decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a
fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people
who are sick. Fluorouracil may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice
any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.
Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), ketoprofen (Orudis KT®), or naproxen (Aleve®) products as
these may mask a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.
Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving fluorouracil because you may get an infection or
bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you received fluorouracil.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are receiving fluorouracil.
Try to keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Do not use sun lamps or sun
tanning beds or booths. Fluorouracil makes your skin more sensitive to the sun and you may get a sunburn more easily. Your eye
may become more senstive to the sun, too.
You will receive fluorouracil therapy in a hospital or clinic setting. You will not have to keep this medication at home.
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you
have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
[ Revised 6/20/00]
This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.