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Action/Kinetics:
Cell-cycle specific for the S phase of cell division. Rapidly metabolized to fluorouracil. The drug inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis. Crosses blood-brain barrier.
t
1/2: 5-20 min. From 60% to 80% of fluorouracil is excreted as respiratory CO
2 (8-12 hr); small amount (15%) excreted in urine (1-6 hr).
Uses:
Intra-arterially as palliative treatment of GI adenocarcinoma metastatic to the liver (especially in clients incurable by surgery or other treatment). Used in clients with disease limited to an area capable of infusion by a single artery.
Investigational: Cancer of the breast, ovaries, cervix, bladder, kidney, and prostate.
Contraindications:
If client is at poor risk, including depressed bone marrow function, nutritionally poor, or potentially serious infections. Lactation. Do not use during pregnancy unless benefits clearly outweigh risks.
Additional Side Effects:
Esophagopharyngitis, myocardial ischemia, angina, acute cerebellar syndrome, photophobia, lacrimation, decreased vision. Complications of intra-arterial administration are arterial aneurysm, arterial ischemia, arterial thrombosis, bleeding at catheter site, occluded, displaced, or leaking catheters, embolism, fibromyositis, infection at catheter site, thrombophlebitis.
Laboratory Test Alterations:
Excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.
Serum transaminase and bilirubin, LDH, alkaline phosphatase.
Plasma albumin.
How Supplied:
Powder for injection: 0.5 g
Dosage
?Intra-arterial Infusion only
0.1-0.6 mg/kg/day by continuous infusion over 24 hr. Infusion is continued as long as a response continues.
