Tegafur and uracil (UFT)

Note: this drug combination is not FDA approved but is used widely in other countries.

General information

Class/mechanism: Contains a fixed molar ratio (4:1) of uracil to tegafur. Tegafur is metabolized in vivo to Fluorouracil (5-FU), which is a pyrimidine analog antimetabolite that is 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). Uracil helps to maintain intracellular levels of Fluorouracil (5-FU) by inhibiting its degradation.
Route: PO
Extravasation: n/a

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.

Patient safety

EMA has recommended that patients should be tested for the lack of the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) before starting cancer treatment with fluorouracil given by injection or infusion (drip) or with the related medicines, capecitabine and tegafur.

Diseases for which it is used

• Colorectal cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Rectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer
  • Non-small cell lung cancer, nonsquamous

Patient drug information

• Uracil-tegafur (UFT) patient information site
• Macmillan Uracil-tegafur (UFT) patient information

Also known as

• Generic name: tegafur-uracil
• Brand names: Ftorafur, Luporal, Tefudex, Ufur, Uftoral, Uracel