Fluorouracil (Fluorouracil)
Overview of Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil is antineoplastic or anticancer drug. Fluorouracil is a fluorinated pyrimidine antimetabolite that resembles uracil, with a fluorine atom substituted for the 5-methyl group. It belongs to a class of antimetabolite. Antimetabolite are the compound that bear a structural similarity to a naturally occuring substances, such as vitamins, nucleosides or amino acids. Fluorouracil is effective in the treatment of different cancers to slow or stop the growth of abnormal or cancerous cells. Fluorouracil is used in combination with different anticancer drugs to obtain most excellent therapeutic effects and to reduce toxicity or side effects.
Indication of Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil is primarily indicated in conditions like Bladder carcinoma, Breast cancer, Carcinoma of colon, Carcinoma of stomach, Cervical carcinoma, Head and neck cancer, Liver carcinoma, Pancreatic cancer, Solid tumor.
Contraindication of Fluorouracil
No data regarding the contra indications of Fluorouracil is available.
Side Effects of Fluorouracil
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Fluorouracil, which give rise to further complications include Hemorrhagic complications.,Fluorouracil produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Thrombocytopenia, Hematological abnormalities, Conjunctivitis, Cardiac ischemia, Bilirubin elevation, Neurological syndrome. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Fluorouracil therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Fluorouracil include Hematological toxicity.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Fluorouracil are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include GI reactions, Hypersensitivity reactions, Cutaneous hyperpigmentation, Cerebral ataxia.
Precautions of Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil should be used with caution in patients with any allergy (especially drug allergies), any blood disorders (bone marrow problems) or serious infections.This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation.