DBL Fluorouracil (Fluorouracil)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is DBL Fluorouracil Used For?
DBL Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy medicine that belongs to a group called antineoplastic or cytotoxic medicines. It is specifically designed to fight cancer by targeting cancer cells.
Primary Uses
DBL Fluorouracil is used to treat several types of cancer including breast cancer, colon cancer, rectum cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, uterine cancer (particularly cervical), ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer.
How It Works
This medicine works by killing cancer cells and stopping them from growing and multiplying. It may be used alone or combined with other medicines as part of your cancer treatment plan.
Continue Reading
Sign in to access the complete medication guide including dosage, side effects, warnings, and more.
How DBL Fluorouracil Is Given
DBL Fluorouracil must only be given by a doctor or nurse in a medical setting. You cannot take this medicine at home.
How It's Administered
Fluorouracil can be given in three ways: as an injection into a vein, as a continuous slow injection via a 'drip' into a vein, or as a slow injection via a 'drip' into an artery. Your doctor will decide what dose you receive based on your medical condition and other factors.
Treatment Duration
Several courses of fluorouracil therapy may be needed depending on how you respond to treatment. Additional treatment may not be repeated until your blood cell numbers return to acceptable levels and any side effects have been controlled.
Important: This medicine is given under medical supervision, so an overdose is unlikely. However, tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience severe side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- hair loss
- skin rash
- changes in skin or nail appearance
- euphoria
- tiredness
- headache
- dizziness
- fatigue
- irritability
- restlessness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- chest pain
- irregular and/or rapid heart-beat
- loss of consciousness
- signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, cough, pain with urination, swollen or red skin)
- unusual bleeding or bruising (including bloody or black stools, blood in urine)
- severe diarrhea
- severe abdominal pain
- severe mouth ulceration
- difficulty swallowing
- seizures or coma
- allergic reaction (shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling, rash, itching or hives)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where DBL Fluorouracil should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take DBL Fluorouracil
Do not use if you are allergic to fluorouracil or any ingredients, have an infection or high temperature, have blood disorders with reduced red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets, have blood clotting problems, have lowered immunity due to diseases like HIV/AIDS or cancer, have lowered immunity due to treatment with medicines like corticosteroids or other cancer treatments, or have complete dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, any enzyme deficiencies (particularly dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency which can cause life-threatening conditions), previous radiation treatment, other cancer treatment, or if you need vaccinations.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Fluorouracil is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause birth defects. Use appropriate birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last dose (females) or 3 months (males). A barrier method like condoms should be used. Talk to your doctor immediately if you are breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with DBL Fluorouracil and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- allopurinol (used to treat gout)
- cimetidine (used to treat stomach ulcers)
- phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy)
- warfarin (used to prevent blood clots)
- brivudine and sorivudine (used to treat viral infections)
- metronidazole (used to treat some types of infections)
- leucovorin (folinic acid) (used together with some cancer therapy)
- levamisole, methotrexate and other cytotoxic medicines (used to treat cancer)
- thiamine (vitamin B1)
Alcohol & Driving
DBL Fluorouracil may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and can interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may make dizziness or confusion worse while you are receiving this treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how DBL Fluorouracil affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, tiredness or confusion in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
DBL Fluorouracil is stored at the hospital, which is responsible for storing and disposing of any unused product correctly. You do not need to worry about storage as this medicine is only given in medical facilities.
Overdose Information
Since DBL Fluorouracil is given under medical supervision, an overdose is unlikely. However, if you experience severe side effects, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. Symptoms of an overdose may include the same side effects listed but are usually more severe in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Several courses of fluorouracil therapy may be needed depending on your response to treatment. Your doctor will determine the duration based on your specific condition and how well you respond to the medicine.
Some medicines may interfere with DBL Fluorouracil. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you are taking, including those bought without a prescription.
Take precautions for one week after treatment by flushing the toilet twice, wearing gloves when cleaning body fluid spills, washing contaminated clothing separately, and using barrier methods like condoms during sexual intercourse.
Check with your doctor immediately if you think you may be getting an infection, or if you get a fever, chills, cough, hoarse throat, lower back or side pain, or find it painful or difficult to urinate.
You may have increased sensitivity to sunlight, which can cause redness, itching, swelling, or blistering more quickly than normal. Avoid excessive sun exposure, wear sunscreen and protective clothing.
Avoid people with infections, be careful with sharp objects, avoid contact sports where you might get injured, and take precautions when cleaning your teeth to prevent bleeding.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience chest pain, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, signs of infection, unusual bleeding, severe abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, seizures, or any signs of allergic reaction.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.