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| Pronunciation |
|
 (flure
oh YOOR a
sil) |
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|
| Brand Names |
|
| Adrucil®; Carac™;
Efudex®; Fluoroplex® |
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|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antineoplastic Agent, Antimetabolite |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
This medicine is very strong. It can prevent your bone marrow from making
some of the cells that your body needs. You will need weekly blood work to watch
for side effects. Tell healthcare provider right away about any fever, sore
throat, signs of infection, bleeding, shortness of breath, or feeling
tired. |
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|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
If you have an allergy to fluorouracil or any other part of this
medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you have low blood cell count.
If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
If you are breast-feeding. |
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
This medicine is used to treat a variety of
cancers. |
|
|
| How does it work? |
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|
Fluorouracil injures cancer cells causing their
death. |
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|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
Injection:
This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.
Skin:
Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth,
nose, and eyes (may burn).
Wash your hands before and after use.
Clean affected area before use. Make sure to dry well.
Wait 10 minutes before use.
Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub in gently.
Do not cover with dressings. |
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
Call healthcare provider for appointment.
Skin:
Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
Do not apply a double dose or extra
doses. |
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin,
aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
You will bleed easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush,
electric razor.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
Be careful about taking vaccinations while you are receiving this
medicine.
You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning
beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while
taking this medicine.
If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from
pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust. |
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
Feeling tired or weak.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Diarrhea.
Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
For females, no menstrual cycle.
Eye irritation.
Skin irritation.
Infertility. |
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|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Check blood work to help prevent side effects. Talk with healthcare
provider.
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5
degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough,
increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that
will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
Difficulty breathing.
Persistent cough.
Severe belly pain.
Severe nausea or vomiting.
Severe diarrhea.
Unusual bruising or bleeding.
Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
Feeling extremely tired or weak.
Not hungry.
Severe eye irritation.
Severe skin irritation.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will
not store it at home.
Skin:
Store at room temperature. Do not freeze. |
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| General statements |
|
|
Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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