fluorouracil (injection)

What is the most important information I should know about fluorouracil?

Before using fluorouracil tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies, all medicines you use, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What is fluorouracil?

Fluorouracil is used to treat cancer of the colon, rectum, breast, stomach, or pancreas.

Fluorouracil is often given in combination chemotherapy with other cancer drugs.

Fluorouracil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving fluorouracil?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency;
• heart problems; or
• bone marrow depression.

Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using fluorouracil.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because fluorouracil can harm an unborn baby.

How is fluorouracil given?

Fluorouracil is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You may receive your first dose in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects.

Fluorouracil is often given in a treatment cycle, and you may need to use the medicine only on certain days of each cycle. Fluorouracil is sometimes given in a continuous infusion over 24 to 46 hours.

How often you need fluorouracil injections will depend on many factors, including side effects and how your body responds to the medicine. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when fluorouracil is injected.

Fluorouracil can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving fluorouracil?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

What are the possible side effects of fluorouracil?

• fever (take your temperature each day while receiving fluorouracil);
• severe or ongoing diarrhea;
• vision problems;
• confusion, problems with balance or muscle movement;
• painful mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing, talking, or eating;
• bone marrow suppression --dizziness, pale lips or fingernail beds, fast heart rate, getting easily tired or short of breath;
• "hand and foot syndrome" --pain, blisters, bleeding, or severe rash on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;
• heart problems --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, irregular heartbeats, nausea, sweating, feeling dizzy or short of breath.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• mouth sores;
• heart problems; or
• bone marrow suppression.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect fluorouracil?

If you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven), you may need to have more frequent "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

Other drugs may affect fluorouracil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about fluorouracil.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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