Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- other cancer medicines
- Leucovorin calcium
- or are planning to get a “live-vaccination”
This is not a complete list of Adrucil drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
It is recommended that Adrucil Injection be given only by or under the supervision of a qualified physician who is experienced in cancer chemotherapy and who is well versed in the use of potent antimetabolites. Because of the possibility of severe toxic reactions, it is recommended that patients be hospitalized at least during the initial course of therapy. These instructions should be thoroughly reviewed before administration of Adrucil.
Adrucil affects cells that are in the process of growing and dividing. Cancer cells grow and divide faster than other cells in the body, but unfortunately the normal cells in the body that grow and divide on a regular basis are affected as well, which causes the seemingly familiar chemotherapeutic side effects of hair loss (hair follicle cells), nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients may also experience constipation, cramping, weight loss, changes in taste and appetite, mouth sores, and anemia. Peripheral neuropathy, as mentioned above, is uncommon but very serious, with patients starting out feeling decreased sensation and numbness in the hands and feet, but may progress to difficulty walking.
The side effects listed below are serious and need to be told to your doctor about within 24 hours of noticing them: vomiting more than four to five times in a day, diarrhea more than four to five times in a day, constipation, strange bleeding or bruising, bone pain, severe abdominal pain, sores on the lips or mouth, blood in the urine or stool (this can look like black or tarry stools)
The most common side effects of Adrucil are: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sores in the mouth and throat (stomatitis), stomach area pain (abdominal pain), upset stomach, , loss of appetite, and too much water loss from the body (dehydration). Many people may become anemic during treatment, meaning that their red blood cell count decreases.
Other side effects include Hand-and-foot syndrome (palms of the hands or soles of the feet tingle, become numb, painful, swollen or red), rash, dry, itchy or discolored skin, nail problems, and hair loss. Tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, fever, pain (including chest, back, joint, and muscle pain), trouble sleeping, and taste problems may occur as well.
Some side effects are manageable, but contact your doctor immediately if you experience four or more bowel movements than usual, vomiting more than once in a 24 hour period, if nausea is so extreme that you’re eating much less, have stomatitis, have Hand-and-Foot syndrome, or have a fever greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Adrucil may cause harm to your unborn baby. You should avoid pregnancy while receiving Adrucil therapy.
WARNING
It is recommended that Adrucil Injection be given only by or under the supervision of a qualified physician who is experienced in cancer chemotherapy and who is well versed in the use of potent antimetabolites. Because of the possibility of severe toxic reactions, it is recommended that patients be hospitalized at least during the initial course of therapy.
Little is known regarding Adrucil overdose. If you or someone you know have overdosed on Adrucil contact your local poison control center or emergency medical services.
The possibility of overdosage with Adrucil is unlikely in view of the mode of administration. Nevertheless, the anticipated manifestations would be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, bone marrow depression. No specific antidotal therapy exists. Patients who have been exposed to an overdose of Adrucil should be monitored hematologically for at least four weeks. Should abnormalities appear, appropriate therapy should be utilized.
Your doctor will determine the best dosage of Adrucil for you. The dose is based on your weight and the type and stage of cancer you have. You will likely be given intravenous injections (into a vein) once a day for four days in a row. If you show no signs of toxicity (harmful effects from Adrucil), you may be given 4 more doses on the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th days.
If you have not shown signs of toxicity (harmful effects of medication), you may receive maintenance doses. A repeat dosage of the first course of therapy every 30 days after the last day of the previous course of treatment may be prescribed. The dosage will be adjusted according to your reaction to previous doses. Some patients have received from 9 to 45 courses of treatment during periods which ranged from 12 to 60 months.
Adrucil is an intravenous medication that has been used for many decades for the treatment of many different types of cancer, including breast cancer, head and neck cancer, ovarian cancer, and many cancers of the digestive tract, including stomach and liver cancer; colon, rectal, and anal cancer; and esophageal and pancreatic cancer. It can also be used as a cream or solution to be applied to basal cell skin cancer and actinic keratoses.
Adrucil is given by intravenous (into a vein) injection at a medical facility (doctor’s office, hospital or clinic). You will likely be given another medicine to help control stomach upset.
Active ingredient: fluorouracil
Inactive ingredients: water, sodium hydroxide
Adrucil is a sterile, nonpyrogenic injectable solution for intravenous administration (IV) that is used as part of a chemotherapy regimen for certain cancers. It is a type of drug called an anti-metabolite, specifically a pyrimidine antagonist. Rapidly dividing cancer cells will mistake Adrucil for a normal substance in the cell that it would use to divide, but Adrucil interferes with the division and halts the growth of cancer cells.
Tell your doctor if:
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding;
- you have liver problems;
- you have kidney problems;
- you are taking any other medicines, vitamins or herbal supplements;
- you are allergic to Adrucil or any other medicines;
- you have an infection
- you are malnourished (poor nutritional state)
- you have cancer that has depressed bone marrow function
Always tell your doctor what other prescription medications, nonprescription medications, vitamins, or nutritional supplements you are currently taking or plan to start taking during the course of a new medication. Do not take aspirin or aspirin containing products unless your doctor tells you it is okay.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning on becoming before starting Adrucil. It can cause birth defects for the baby if you are already pregnant. Both men and women should not plan on conceiving a child while onAdrucil. Your doctor can tell you when it will be safe to do so after treatment.
Do not breast feed a child while on Adrucil.
Do not stop taking Adrucil unless your doctor tells you to. Many people stay on the medication for several years.
Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking Adrucil. Try to maintain a nutritious diet, stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
You may be more prone to infections while being treated with Adrucil. Try to avoid people who are sick and avoid crowds. Report any signs of fever to your doctor immediately.
You may develop sores in your mouth as well as on your hands and feet while being treated with Adrucil. Use a soft toothbrush and rinse your mouth with a light baking soda/salt mixture, and keep your hands and feet moisturized. You should try to limit the amount of activity with your hands and feet for about a week after treatment.
Tell your doctor if you have ever been told that you have a dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency, as this may cause you to not be able to be treated with Adrucil.
Adrucil is used to treat symptoms of colon, rectal, breast, stomach and pancreatic cancers in adult patients.
Adrucil is given in the form of an intravenous (IV) injection. This is generally performed by a healthcare professional. In some cases Adrucil may be given by a different method. Consult with your doctor on how you would prefer to receive the medication and what is appropriate for your situation.
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Adrucil there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Adrucil.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Adrucil is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Active Ingredient: Fluorouracil
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Sodium Hydroxide
Keep all medical and laboratory appointments. To get the most benefit it is important you receive your doses as scheduled.
Do not use Adrucil if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Adrucil;
- you have a serious infection;
- you are not getting proper nutrition (malnourished);
- you have depressed bone marrow function.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Adrucil may harm your baby.
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems or kidney problems.
Talk to your doctor before you receive any vaccine while you are using Adrucil.
Adrucil may cause your skin to burn more easily when exposed to sunlight. Always wear sunblock and protect your skin from exposure to sunlight to avoid sunburn.
Avoid activities that can cause injury. Use soft toothbrush and electric razor to avoid gum and skin injury.
Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you know how Adrucil affects your concentration and alertness.