Fluorouracil

Indications & Dose:

Used as an adjuvant to radiotherapy, surgery and in combination with other drugs: Malignant neoplasms of breast, G.I. Tract and carcinoma of pan-creas. Carcinoma of urinary bladder, hepatoma, carcinoma of colon, topical treatment of premalignant keratosis of skin and multiple superficial basal cell carcinomas.

DOSE

Adults 12mg/kg body-wt. once daily for 4 successive days i.v. Max. daily dose: 800mg. If no toxicity give 6mg/ kg on days 6, 8, 10, 12. Discontinue day 12. Maintenance dose 10-15mg/kg/week. Max. dose 1g/ week

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity Serious infection, depressed bone marrow function.
Pregnancy & breast-feeding.

Side Effects:

Pancytopenia, myocardial ischemia, stomatitis, G.I. ulceration and bleeding, nausea, vomiting, rash, photosensitivity, visual changes, alopecia, conjunctivitis, bone marrow depression, angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmias, oral and hyperpigmentation. Chest pain, breathlessness.

Cautions:

Infuse the drug over 2-8 hours, monitor renal and hepatic function.

Precautions:

Anaemia, leucopenia, skin pigmentation, eruption. Patient should be hospitalised during 1st course of treatment. Hepatic or renal impairment, hypersensitivity.
Old age: Use with caution.

Interaction:

Drugs

Cimetidine: Increased plasma fluorouracil concentration. Other bone marrow depressants,

Immunosuppressive agents,Irradiation: Additive adverse effects.

Leucovorin calcium: Toxicity of fluorouracil enhanced.

Metronidazole: Enhanced toxicity.

Lab Tests: Elevation in alkaline phosphatase, serum transminase, serum bilirubin and lactic dehydrogenase may occur

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: