Fluorouracil Injection
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
25mg/ml
David Bull Laboratories
| Pack size | 20ml Vial x 10 |
|---|---|
| Dispensing mode | POM |
| Source | AUSTRALIA |
| Agent | DUPHARM |
| Retail Price | 149.50 AED |
Available as:
Indications
Fluorouracil Injection is used for:
Palliation of malignant neoplasms, Superficial basal cell carcinoma, Oesophageal carcinoma, Carcinoma of Colon, Carcinoma of Breast, Carcinoma of Ovary, Carcinoma of Liver, Carcinoma of Pancreas, Carcinoma of Rectum, Carcinoma of Stomach
Adult Dose
Adult: IV Palliation of malignant neoplasms 12 mg/kg/day (max: 0.8-1g/day) for 3-4 days, if no toxicity occurs, may be followed after 1 day w/ 6 mg/kg on alternate days for another 3-4 doses. May repeat course 4-6 wk later or maintenance doses of 5-15 mg/kg (max: 1 g) may be given wkly.
Cancers of Colon, Breast, Ovary, Liver, Pancreas, Rectum, Stomach
Various protocols exist
500 mg/sq.meter IV on Days 1-5, OR
450-600 mg/sq.meter IV weekly, OR
200-400 mg/sq.meter IV continuous infusion qD
Not to exceed 800 mg/day
As an infusion: 15 mg/kg/day (max: 1 g/day), continue until toxicity occurs or a total of 12-15 g is given. May repeat course 4-6 wk later. Intra-arterial Palliation of malignant neoplasms 5-7.5 mg/kg/day as continuous infusion (regional perfusion).
Hepatic impairment: Dose reduction may be required.
Child Dose
Child: Safety & efficacy not established.
Renal Dose
Renal impairment: Dose reduction may be required.
Administration
IV Preparation
IV Push: dose/syringe (concentration: 50 mg/mL); max syringe size for IVP is 30 mL syringe and syringe should be <75% full
Continuous IV Infusion/IVPB: dose/50-1000 mL D5W or NS; syringe and solution are stable for 72 hr at 4 to 25°C
IV Administration
Direct IV push injection (50 mg/mL solution needs no further dilution) or by IV infusion
Toxicity may be reduced by giving the drug as a constant infusion
Bolus doses may be administered by slow IVP or IVPB
Warm to body temperature before using
Continuous IV infusion may be administered in D5W or NS
Solution should be protected from direct sunlight
5-FU may also be administered intra-arterially or intra-hepatically
Use plastic IV containers for continuous infusions (stable in plastic IV bags than in glass bottles)
Contra Indications
Topical application on mucous membranes, exposure to sunlight, hypersensitivity. Depressed bone marrow function, poor nutritional status, potentially serious infections. Pregnancy and lactation.
Precautions
Regular monitoring of blood counts. History of heart disease, hepatic or renal insufficiency, weak or malnourished patients, patients who with history of high-dose pelvic radiation or use of alkylating agents. Patients with widespread metastases to the bone marrow.
Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; do not nurse.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy Category: D
Risk Summary
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with fluorouracil in pregnant women. Based on its mechanism of action, fluorouracil can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; do not nurse
Interactions
May increase warfarin effects. May reduce response to vaccines; possibility of generalized infection with live vaccines. Action may be modified by allopurinol. Leucovorin calcium may enhance the toxicity of fluorouracil.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) :
1-10%
Loss of appetite, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Mucositis, Myelosuppression, Alopecia, Photosensitivity, Hand-foot syndrome, Maculopapular eruption (pruritic)
Frequency Not Defined
Angina, Coronary arteriosclerosis, Thrombophlebitis, Darkening of veins, Gastrointestinal ulcer, Increased alkaline phosphatase, Increased LFTs, Hyperbilirubinemia, Hypercholesterolemia (increased LDH), Anaphylaxis, Nystagmus, Ophthalmic findings
Potentially Fatal: Central neurotoxicity, myocardial ischaemia.
Mechanism of Action
Fluorouracil interferes with DNA synthesis by blocking the conversion of deoxyuridylic acid to thymidylic acid. It also interferes with RNA synthesis. This results in an unbalanced growth of the cells. Fluorouracil exerts greater effect on rapidly growing cells as they take up the drug at a faster rate.
Note
Fluorouracil 25mg/ml Injection manufactured by David Bull Laboratories. Its generic name is 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Fluorouracil is availble in United Arab Emirates.
Farmaco UAE drug index information on Fluorouracil Injection is not intended for diagnosis, medical advice or treatment; neither intended to be a substitute for the exercise of professional judgment.