Fluorouracil, Infusion

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer); antimetabolite

Generic and brand names: fluorouracil, infusion; 5-FU

What is this medicine used for?

These medicines are given by infusion to treat certain types of cancer. They interfere with growth of cancer cells and eventually destroy them. Ask your healthcare provider to explain the treatment and the risks involved.

These medicines may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• bone marrow problems
• high-dose radiation therapy to the pelvis, spine, or ribs
• kidney or liver problems
• previous chemotherapy
• recent major surgery

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

The first series of infusions is given in the hospital where you can be observed closely for any serious side effects. Several series of infusions are given over time, depending on how the cancer responds. If you are not staying in the hospital overnight, be sure to keep all your appointments for these treatments.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, blood in your stools.

What should I watch out for?

Although these medicines interfere with growth of cancer cells, they can also affect growth of normal cells and can cause other serious effects that need to be reported to your healthcare provider. These include fever, chills, diarrhea, and sores in your mouth or on your lips. Nausea and vomiting can occur and should be reported to your healthcare provider, especially if you also have stomach pain.

Other side effects such as hair loss may not be serious but may cause concern. Normal hair growth usually returns in time.

Some effects may not occur for months or years after the infusions. Ask your healthcare provider about these.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever; chills; sore throat; burning urination; vaginal discharge; sores in your mouth or on your lips; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; heartburn; unusual bruising or bleeding; yellowish skin or eyes; pain, numbness, or swelling in hands or feet; unusual weight gain; trouble breathing; black or tarry stools.

Other: Hair loss, loss of appetite, weakness, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, darkening of the skin.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• aspirin or other salicylates
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• leucovorin calcium
• live vaccines
• metronidazole (Flagyl)
• natural remedies such as black cohosh and dong quai
• other anticancer medicines such as levamisole (Ergamisol), gemcitabine (Gemzar), and tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Oretic), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and polythiazide (Renese)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.