About fluorouracil
Antimetabolite chemotherapy medicine
Used for
- Treats several cancers, including colorectal, breast, stomach, and pancreatic cancers.
Usual adult dose
Dose varies by cancer and regimen; commonly given by intravenous infusion in repeated cycles, often with other medicines.
Common side effects
- Low blood counts and increased infection risk
- Mouth sores, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting
- Hand-foot skin reaction
- Hair thinning or loss
Important warnings
- Treatment requires specialist supervision and regular blood tests.
- Testing for DPD deficiency is recommended before treatment; deficiency can cause severe or fatal toxicity.
- Seek urgent assessment for fever, severe diarrhoea, mouth sores, or unusual bleeding.
- Not for intrathecal use; dosing errors can be fatal.
Pregnancy
Can harm an unborn baby. Avoid during pregnancy; effective contraception is needed during treatment and afterward.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for at least one week after the final dose.
Interactions
- Brivudine, sorivudine, or related antiviral medicines can cause severe toxicity; avoid combining.
- Warfarin may have increased effects and bleeding risk; monitoring is needed.
- Phenytoin levels may rise; monitoring may be needed.
- Other chemotherapy or radiation can increase toxicity.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.