Fluorouracil, Infusion

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

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

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 health care provider to explain the treatment and the risks involved.

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

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

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

Females of childbearing age: These infusions are usually not given during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. Avoid pregnancy during treatment and contact your health care provider right away if you do become pregnant. Do not breast-feed during treatment.

Usually 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 a period of 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.

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 health care 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 health care 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 health care 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 health care provider's approval first.

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 health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care 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, rash or itching, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, darkening of the skin.

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 health care provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• aspirin or medicines containing aspirin
• leucovorin calcium
• live vaccines
• other anticancer medicines such as methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, vincristine, mitomycin, adriamycin, levamisole, or interferon alpha-2a.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care 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 health care 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.