Applies to floxuridine: injection powder for solution.
Warning
Injection route (Powder for Solution)
It is recommended that floxuridine be given only by or under the supervision of a qualified physician who is experienced in cancer chemotherapy and intra-arterial drug therapy and is well versed in the use of potent antimetabolites. Because of the possibility of severe toxic reactions, all patients should be hospitalized for initiation of the first course of therapy.
Serious side effects of Floxuridine
Along with its needed effects, floxuridine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking floxuridine:
More common
- Diarrhea
- sores in mouth and on lips
- stomach pain or cramps
Less common
- Black, tarry stools
- heartburn
- nausea and vomiting
- scaling or redness of hands or feet
- swelling or soreness of the tongue
Rare
- Blood in urine or stools
- cough or hoarseness
- fever or chills
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- pinpoint red spots on skin
- trouble in walking
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Floxuridine
Some side effects of floxuridine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common or rare
- Loss of appetite
- skin rash or itching
This medicine sometimes causes temporary thinning of hair. After treatment with floxuridine has ended, normal hair growth should return.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to floxuridine: injectable powder for injection.
Other
Frequency not reported: Fever, lethargy, malaise, weakness
-Adverse reactions to the arterial infusion of this drug are generally related to the procedural complications of regional arterial infusion. The complications include arterial aneurysm, arterial ischemia, arterial thrombosis, embolism, fibromyositis, thrombophlebitis, hepatic necrosis, abscesses, infection at the catheter site, bleeding at the catheter site and/or a blocked, leaking, or displaced catheter.
-Laboratory abnormalities include BSP, prothrombin, total proteins, sedimentation rate and thrombocytopenia.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Frequency not reported: Stomatitis, esophagopharyngitis (at the first visible sign), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, enteritis, stomatitis, duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis, bleeding, gastroenteritis, glossitis, pharyngitis, anorexia, cramps, abdominal pain, possible intra- and extrahepatic biliary sclerosis, acalculous cholecystitis[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Leukopenia (WBC under 3500) or a rapidly falling white blood count, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage (from any site)[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Elevations of alkaline phosphatase, serum transaminase, serum bilirubin, and lactic dehydrogenase[Ref]
Dermatologic
Frequency not reported: Alopecia, dermatitis, nonspecific skin toxicity, rash[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Myocardial ischemia[Ref]
Nervous system
Frequency not reported: Neurotoxicity
