Fluorouracil: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is Fluorouracil used for?

Fluorouracil is a drug used to treat precancerous and cancerous skin growths. Fluorouracil belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-metabolites. These drugs work by blocking the growth of abnormal cells that cause this skin condition.

How do you use Fluorouracil?

Use this medication as directed by your doctor. Before you apply this medicine on the skin, clean the affected area and dry it well. Wait 10 minutes, then apply a small amount of the medicine to the affected skin, using just enough to cover the area with a thin film. Wash your hands immediately after applying this medicine, even if you use gloves.

The treated area may become unsightly during treatment and in some cases for several weeks after treatment. Do not cover the area with gauze, bandages, or bandages. Check with your doctor whether you can cover the treated area with loose gauze.

Avoid applying this medication on or around the eyes or eyelids. Also, do not use this medication in your nose or mouth. If you get this medicine in the area, rinse it off with plenty of water.

Use this drug as prescribed. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor. Do not increase your dose or use it more often than directed. Your condition will not recover any sooner and the side effects will increase.

If your condition gets worse or does not improve, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Fluorouracil?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using Fluorouracil?

Before using fluorouracil,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluorouracil or any other medications.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you use or will use especially other topical products. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency (lack of a natural enzyme in your body).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using fluorouracil, contact your doctor immediately. Fluorouracil can harm the fetus.
• Avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV rays (such as tanning rooms) and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Fluorouracil can make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Is Fluorouracil safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category X according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = Positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = Unknown)

There are not adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medicine while breastfeeding.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Fluorouracil?

Serious side effects are unlikely. Stop using topical fluorouracil and seek emergency medical help if you experience an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; blockage of the throat, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, or hives).

Topical fluorouracil can cause skin irritation, dryness, flaky skin peeling, rashes, and other local reactions. Eye irritation has also been reported. If these side effects are excessive or get worse with continued treatment, contact your doctor.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the work of the Fluorouracil medicine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
• Tegafur

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
• Bacillus Calmette and Guerin Vaccines, Live
• Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
• Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
• Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
• Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Smallpox vaccine
• Tamoxifen
• Tinidazole
• Typhoid Vaccine
• Varicella Virus Vaccine
• WArfarin
• Yellow fever vaccine

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or adjust how often you use one or both drugs.

• Fosphenytoin
• Leucovorin
• Levamisole
• Levoleucovorin
• Phenytoin
• Thiamine

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of the Fluorouracil medicine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the Fluorouracil medicine?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems.:

• Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency - May increase the incidence of serious side effects.
• other skin problems - the condition can be made worse.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Fluorouracil for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Skin Cancer

Superficial (superficial) basal cell carcinoma:

Use a 5% cream or solution for wounds twice a day with gloves or a non-metallic applicator.

Treatment should be continued for a minimum of 3 to 6 weeks, and it may take 10 to 12 weeks for the wound to complete.

Usual Adult Dose for Keratosis

Actinic or solar keratosis: 0.5% cream (microsphere formulation):

Use it for the affected area once a day. Can be applied with fingers and hands and should be washed immediately afterward.

1%, 2%, 5% cream or 2%, 5% solution: Apply to the affected area twice a day with gloves or a non-metallic applicator, using enough to cover the wound.

The usual duration of therapy is 2 to 4 weeks, until the inflammatory response reaches an erosive state, at which time treatment is stopped. The wound may not heal completely for 1 to 2 months after fluorouracil use has been stopped. Solar keratoses that don't respond to treatment should be biopsied to confirm the diagnosis.

What is the dosage of Fluorouracil for children?

Actinic keratosis is not a condition seen in the pediatric population, except in association with a rare genetic disease. Fluorouracil should not be used in children. The safety and effectiveness of fluorouracil have not been determined in patients younger than 18 years.

In what dosages and preparations is Fluorouracil available?

Solution, intravenous: 500 mg / 10 ml, 1g / 20 mL, 2.5 g / 50 mL, 5 g / 100 mL

Cream, external: 5%

Solution, external: 2%, 5

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.