Fluorouracil, 5-FU injection
What is fluorouracil, 5-FU, injection?
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.
What should my health care professional know before I receive fluorouracil?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
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bleeding problems
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blood disorders
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dental disease
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heart disease
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infection (especially virus infection such as chickenpox or herpes)
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liver disease or jaundice
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recent radiation therapy
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an unusual or allergic reaction to fluorouracil, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
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pregnant or trying to get pregnant
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breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Fluorouracil is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health-care professional.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss your dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What drug(s) may interact with fluorouracil?
Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
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aspirin
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acetaminophen
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ibuprofen
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ketoprofen
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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.
What should I watch for while taking fluorouracil?
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.
What side effects may I notice from receiving fluorouracil?
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:
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pain, swelling, redness or irritation at the injection site
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signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
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signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
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signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
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chest pain
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confusion
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diarrhea, especially more frequent and/or severe watery diarrhea
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difficulty breathing
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drowsiness
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mouth sores
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nausea, vomiting
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stomach pain
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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):
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constipation
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dark colored skin
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hair loss
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headache
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increased sensitivity of the skin and eyes to sun and ultraviolet light
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indigestion
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loss of appetite
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skin rash, itching
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watering eyes (tearing), eye irritation
Where can I keep my medicine?
You will receive fluorouracil therapy in a hospital or clinic setting. You will not have to keep this medication at home.
Fluorouracil, 5-FU skin cream or solution
What is fluorouracil skin cream or solution?
FLUOROURACIL, 5-FU (Carac™, Efudex®, Fluoroplex®) is a topical chemotherapy agent used for treating certain skin problems, including skin cancer and skin conditions that could become cancer. Fluorouracil interferes with the growth of abnormal cells, which are eventually destroyed. Generic fluorouracil skin cream or solution are not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I use fluorouracil?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
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inflammation or open sores at the treatment site
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recent or current radiation therapy
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an unusual or allergic reaction to fluorouracil, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
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pregnant or trying to get pregnant
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breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Fluorouracil cream or solution is only for use on the skin. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before use. Wash affected area and gently pat dry. To apply the cream or solution use a cotton-tipped applicator, or use gloves if applying with fingertips. If applied with unprotected fingertips, it is very important to wash your hands well after you apply this medicine. Avoid application to eyes, nose, or mouth. Apply enough cream or solution to cover the affected area. You can cover the area with a light gauze dressing. Finish the full course prescribed by your doctor or health care professional, even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, only use that dose. Do not apply extra doses. Contact your prescriber or health care professional if you miss more than one dose.
What drug(s) may interact with fluorouracil?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about other skin products that you are using, including non-prescription skin products. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking fluorouracil?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to use the cream or solution for between 2 to 6 weeks (this may be longer depending on the condition being treated). You may not see full healing for another 1 to 2 months after you stop using fluorouracil.
If you apply fluorouracil to your face, do not get any in the eyes, nose or mouth. Always wash your hands thoroughly after use to avoid getting any fluorouracil in your eyes, nose, mouth or other sensitive areas. Fluorouracil could cause irritation and sores if it comes in contact with these areas. It is very important to wash your hands well after applying fluorouracil, even if you used gloves, to make sure the cream or solution does not come into contact with unaffected skin.
A moisturizer or sunscreen may be applied 2 hours after applying fluorouracil cream. Do not use any other skin products including creams, lotions, medications or cosmetics, unless instructed by your health care provider.
Treated areas of skin can look unsightly during and for several weeks after treatment with fluorouracil. Cover with gauze bandages if necessary, but do not use tight (occlusive) dressings).
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.
What side effects may I notice from using fluorouracil?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
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dark colored skin
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eye irritation including burning, itching, sensitivity, stinging, or watering
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increased sensitivity of the skin to sun and ultraviolet light
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pain and burning of the affected area
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scaling or swelling of the affected area
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skin rash, itching of the affected area
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tenderness
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15—25 degrees C (59—77 degrees F); do not freeze. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.