floxuridine
What is the most important information I should know about floxuridine?
You should not use floxuridine if you have an infection, bone marrow suppression, or if you are malnourished.
What is floxuridine?
Floxuridine is used to treat digestive system cancers that have spread to the liver.
Floxuridine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving floxuridine?
You should not be treated with floxuridine if you have:
- an infection;
- bone marrow suppression; or
- if you are malnourished.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
- radiation of your pelvic area; or
- treatment with other chemotherapy medicines.
Floxuridine may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
How should I use floxuridine?
You may receive your first dose in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects.
Floxuridine is injected into an artery through an infusion pump. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
You will be watched closely while receiving floxuridine, to make sure you do not have a severe reaction.
Floxuridine can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Because you will receive floxuridine in a clinical setting, you are not likely to 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 using floxuridine?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using floxuridine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
What are the possible side effects of floxuridine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- chest pain or pressure;
- blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
- fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, feeling light-headed;
- severe vomiting or diarrhea;
- bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin; or
- any bleeding that will not stop.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps;
- stomatitis;
- abnormal blood tests; or
- redness or irritation where the medicine was injected.
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 floxuridine?
Other drugs may affect floxuridine, 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 floxuridine.
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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