• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
FLUOROURACIL, 5-FU (flure oh YOOR a sil) is a chemotherapy drug. It slows the growth of cancer cells. This medicine is used to treat many types of cancer like breast cancer, colon or rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• low blood counts - this medicine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, fainting spells, lightheadedness
• breathing problems
• changes in vision
• chest pain
• mouth sores
• nausea and vomiting
• pain, swelling, redness at site where injected
• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
• redness, swelling, or sores on hands or feet
• stomach pain
• unusual bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in finger or toe nails
• diarrhea
• dry or itchy skin
• hair loss
• headache
• loss of appetite
• sensitivity of eyes to the light
• stomach upset
• unusually teary eyes

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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How should I use this medicine?
This drug is given as an infusion or injection into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

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What may interact with this medicine?

• allopurinol
• cimetidine
• dapsone
• digoxin
• hydroxyurea
• leucovorin
• levamisole
• medicines for seizures like ethotoin, fosphenytoin, phenytoin
• medicines to increase blood counts like filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, sargramostim
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
• methotrexate
• metronidazole
• pyrimethamine
• some other chemotherapy drugs like busulfan, cisplatin, estramustine, vinblastine
• trimethoprim
• trimetrexate
• vaccines

Talk to your doctor or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:

• acetaminophen
• aspirin
• ibuprofen
• ketoprofen
• naproxen

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to fluorouracil or any ingredient in the formulation.
• Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity deficiency. (See Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Activity Deficiency under Cautions.)
• Known or suspected pregnancy. (See Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality under Cautions.)

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor for checks on your progress. This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

In some cases, you may be given additional medicines to help with side effects. Follow all directions for their use.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

Men should inform their doctor if they wish to father a child. This medicine may lower sperm counts.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• blood disorders
• dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency
• infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• malnourished, poor nutrition
• recent or ongoing radiation therapy
• an unusual or allergic reaction to fluorouracil, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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