Fluorouracil

U.S. Brand Names

Adrucil®; Carac®; Efudex®; Fluoroplex®; Fluorouracil®

Canadian Brand Names

Efudex®

Mexican Brand Names

Efudix; Tecflu

Pharmacologic Category

Antineoplastic Agent, Antimetabolite (Pyrimidine Analog)

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

Injection: This medicine is very strong. It can prevent your bone marrow from making some of the cells that your body needs. You will need weekly blood work to watch for side effects. Skin: Some patients may develop low white blood cell counts. Tell healthcare provider right away about any fever, sore throat, signs of infection, bleeding, shortness of breath, or feeling tired.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to fluorouracil or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Bone marrow disease, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency, low blood cell count, major surgery in the past month, or serious infection.

• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.

• This medicine is used to treat precancerous skin lesions.

How does it work?

• Fluorouracil injures cancer cells causing their death.

How is it best taken?

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.

Skin:

• Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).

• Wash hands before and after use.

• Clean affected area before use. Make sure to dry well.

• Wait 10 minutes before use.

• Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub in gently.

• Do not cover with dressings.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

Injection:

• Call healthcare provider for appointment.

Skin:

• Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

Injection:

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

• You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.

• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.

• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• Apply sunscreen at least 2 hours after taking medicine.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

• If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

Injection:

• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

• Feeling tired or weak.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.

• For females, no menstrual cycle.

• Infertility.

Skin:

• Eye irritation.

• Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.

• Skin irritation.

What should I monitor?

All forms:

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Injection:

• Check blood work to help prevent side effects. Talk with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Persistent cough.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Not hungry.

• Severe eye irritation.

• Severe skin irritation.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

Injection:

• This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

Skin:

• Store at room temperature. Do not freeze.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 12:42:22.0

Modified: 2008-05-30 13:02:12.0

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