Fluorouracil injection should be given in a hospital or medical facility under the supervision of a doctor who is experienced in giving chemotherapy medications for cancer. Treatment with fluorouracil injection may cause serious side effects.
Fluorouracil is generally used in combination with other medications to treat colon cancer or rectal cancer (cancer that begins in the large intestine) that has gotten worse or spread to other parts of the body. Fluorouracil is used in combination with other medications to treat certain types of breast cancer after surgery to remove the tumor or radiation therapy. Fluorouracil is also used to treat cancer of the pancreas and stomach cancer. Fluorouracil is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body.
Fluorouracil injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be given intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
Your doctor may need to delay your treatment or change your dose if you experience certain side effects. It is important for you to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with fluorouracil injection.
Fluorouracil is also sometimes used to treat cancer of the cervix (opening of the uterus) and esophagus, head and neck cancer (including cancer of the mouth, lip, cheek, tongue, palate, throat, tonsils, and sinuses), ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed), and renal cell cancer (RCC, a type of cancer that begins in the kidney). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
loss of appetite
nausea
unusual tiredness or weakness
dizziness
headache
hair loss
dry and cracked skin
vision changes
eye that are teary or sensitive to light
redness, pain, swelling, or burning at the site where the injection was given
confusion
sores in the mouth and throat
diarrhea
vomiting
swelling, pain, redness, or peeling of skin on the palms and soles of the feet
fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of an infection
hives
rash
itching
difficulty breathing or swallowing
nosebleeds
coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
unusual bleeding or bruising
pink, red, or dark brown urine
red or tarry black bowel movements
chest pain
Fluorouracil may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
nausea
diarrhea
vomiting
fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of an infection
unusual bleeding or bruising
bloody or black, tarry stools
coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.Your doctor will/may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to fluorouracil.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Revised - 07/18/2012
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.