Drug Detail:Fluorouracil (systemic) (monograph) (Adrucil)
Drug Class:
Usual Adult Dose for Colorectal Cancer
IN COMBINATION WITH LEUCOVORIN, OR IN COMBINATION WITH LEUCOVORIN AND OXALIPLATIN OR IRINOTECAN:
400 mg/m2 by IV bolus on Day 1, followed by 2400 to 3000 mg/m2 as a continuous IV infusion over 46 hours every 2 weeks
WHEN ADMINISTERED IN A BOLUS DOSING REGIMEN IN COMBINATION WITH LEUCOVORIN:
500 mg/m2 by IV bolus on Days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36 in 8-week cycles
Use: Adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer
ADMINISTERED AS A COMPONENT OF A CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE-BASED MULTIDRUG REGIMEN:
500 or 600 mg/m2 IV on Days 1 and 8 every 28 days for 6 cycles
Use: Adenocarcinoma of the breast
Usual Adult Dose for Stomach Cancer
ADMINISTERED AS A COMPONENT OF A PLATINUM-CONTAINING MULTIDRUG CHEMOTHERAPY REGIMEN:
200 to 1000 mg/m2 IV as a continuous infusion over 24 hours; the frequency of dosing in each cycle and the length of each cycle will depend on the dose of fluorouracil and the specific regimen administered
Use: Gastric adenocarcinoma
Usual Adult Dose for Pancreatic Cancer
ADMINISTERED IN COMBINATION WITH LEUCOVORIN OR AS A COMPONENT OF A MULTIDRUG CHEMOTHERAPY REGIMEN THAT INCLUDES LEUCOVORIN:
400 mg/m2 by IV bolus on Day 1, followed by 2400 mg/m2 IV as a continuous infusion over 46 hours every 2 weeks
Use: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Dose Adjustments
Withhold therapy for the following:
- Angina, myocardial infarction/ischemia, arrhythmia, or heart failure in patients with no history of coronary artery disease or myocardial dysfunction
- Hyperammonemic encephalopathy
- Acute cerebellar syndrome, confusion, disorientation, ataxia, or visual disturbances
- Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea
- Grade 2 or 3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (hand-foot syndrome)
- Grade 3 or 4 mucositis
- Grade 4 myelosuppression
Upon resolution or improvement to Grade 1 diarrhea, mucositis, myelosuppression, or palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, resume administration at a reduced dose.
There is no recommended dose for resumption of therapy if any of the following adverse reactions occur:
- Cardiac toxicity
- Hyperammonemic encephalopathy
- Acute cerebellar syndrome, confusion, disorientation, ataxia, or visual disturbances
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- None
This drug is not recommended for use in children.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- This drug is recommended for administration either as an IV bolus or as an IV infusion.
- Do not inject the entire contents of the vial directly into patients.
- Individualize the dose and dosing schedule based on tumor type, the specific regimen administered, disease state, response to treatment, and patient risk factors.
General:
- All dosages are based on patient's actual body weight; however, the estimated lean body weight is used if the patient is obese or if there has been a spurious weight gain due to ascites or other forms of abnormal fluid retention.
- Use is contraindicated in patients who are in a poor nutritional status, have depressed bone marrow function, and those with potentially serious infections.
- This drug is highly toxic with a narrow margin of safety.
- It is recommended that patients be hospitalized during treatment.
- This drug is irritating to the skin; avoid contact with the skin and mucous membranes.
- It is recommended that patients be hospitalized during treatment.
- This drug is irritating to the skin; avoid contact with the skin and mucous membranes.
Frequently asked questions
- Does duct tape really remove warts?
