Fluorouracil (5-FU)
Also known as Adrucil.
General information
Class/mechanism: Pyrimidine analog, antimetabolite, inhibitor of thymidylate synthase. Metabolized to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorouridine triphosphate (FUTP). FdUMP inhibits DNA synthesis by binding to thymidylate synthase and inhibiting production of thymidylate; FUTP interferes with RNA processing when it is mistakenly incorporated in place of uridine triphosphate (UTP).[1][2] [3].
Route: IV
Extravasation: irritant
For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.[1]
Diseases for which it is used
- Anal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colon cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Hepatobiliary cancer
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Pancreatic cancer
- Penile cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Unknown primary
Patient drug information
- Fluorouracil (5-FU) patient drug information (Chemocare)[4]
- Fluorouracil (5-FU) patient drug information (UpToDate)[5]