Oncological diseases, unfortunately, are now very common. Naturally, you can’t give up, you need to fight this pathology. In no case should not be treated independently. Qualified help is indispensable. The fact is that some drugs can be prescribed only by prescription and are used only according to a special regimen. In many cases, doctors prescribe a drug like Fluorouracil. Instructions for use of this medication will be described below.
general characteristics
So, the medicine presented is used in oncology, as it has an antitumor effect. It can be considered an anti-metabolite. That is, the substance contained in the liquid can significantly slow down the metabolism between cells.
"Fluorouracil" (instructions for use always comes in the package with the drug) has a simple composition. It includes sterilized water and caustic soda. The main active ingredient is fluorouracil.
Forms of release and features of the drug
It should be noted that this medicine has several forms. If you need exactly "Fluorouracil", the instructions for use tells about its types:
1. A liquid solution for intravenous or intracavitary administration. Most often this happens 5% aqueous mixture in ampoules of 5 ml. There is also a concentrated solution, which is placed in a 10 ml bottle.
2. Ointment. She is usually also 5%. It is used to treat skin pathologies, for example, basil.
If you have been prescribed "Fluorouracil", the instructions for use contain such information regarding regimens:
- Take 0.5 g / sq.m every day. or 12 mg / kg. The course of therapy is no more than 5 days. After this, a monthly break is required.
- Once every 7 days, 0.6 g / m2 The course of therapy is about 6-10 weeks.
- In combination with other anticancer drugs - on the 1st and 8th day of the course at 0.6 g / m.sq.
However, in all cases, the dosage and method of taking the drug are prescribed individually. It all depends on the severity and stage of development of the disease, the general condition of the patient, his well-being, as well as the chemotherapy plan.
You can enter the liquid in a jet or drip. It must be borne in mind that some drugs that are given to the patient together with the indicated include a dose reduction of fluorouracil by 20-30%.
Pharmacological action and interaction with other drugs
So, “Fluorouracil” (instructions for use, the description of the drug must be read by the patient) has an anti-inflammatory effect and significantly slows down the chemical reactions that contribute to the division of malignant cells. That is, the substance blocks the formation of DNA.
The drug is absorbed quickly enough, while fluoruridine monophosphate is formed. It breaks down in the liver for about 20 hours. The respiratory organs (60-80%) and the kidneys (7-10% in an unchanged state) are involved in the excretion of the drug.
If you need to take "Fluorouracil", the instructions for use (the composition of the medicine we have already considered) says that there are some substances that can not be combined with it. For example, sulfonamide drugs and phenylbutazone are incompatible with this agent. But alpha-interferon and cytostatics, on the contrary, enhance the effect of "Fluorouracil". This should be taken into account when prescribing the dosage.
Note that vaccination of the patient, due to its weakened immunity, should be carried out no earlier than 3 months - a year.
Indications for use
If you require Fluorouracil, the instructions for use (the average price of the drug is 3000-3990 rubles) tells about the following medical indications:
- Cancer of the small or rectum, esophagus and stomach. In this case, the drug is prescribed even with an inoperable stage or the presence of metastases.
- Primary liver cancer.
- Malignant pathologies of the gallbladder, ovaries, chest, cervix.
- Adrenal cancer
- Cancer of the prostate gland.
- Carcinosis or cancer of the penis.
- Tumors in the neck and head.
- Precancerous condition, as well as small neoplasms.
The presented medicine can be used even for fungal skin lesions.
What contraindications exist?
Naturally, not a single chemical preparation can be equally useful for all patients. And in this case, the substance has some contraindications for use.
- Too high sensitivity to some components of this tool.
- Pregnancy or lactation. This medicine has an extremely toxic effect on the fetus. If the appointment is prescribed during breastfeeding, the baby is weaned.
- Peptic ulcer of the duodenum or stomach, which is in the acute stage.
- Severe anemia and frequent bleeding that are difficult or impossible to stop (hemophilia).
- Leukopenia
- Impaired kidney or liver function.
- The state of health of the patient prior to biological death.
- Extremely severe depletion of the body.
In addition, there are some limitations. For example, with caution, a drug is prescribed for those people who suffer from herpes zoster or chickenpox. Particular attention should be paid to the appointment of this drug if the patient is already taking cytostatics.
Feasible side effects
If you have been prescribed a course of a drug such as Fluorouracil-Lance, the instructions for using this medication are practically no different from those written previously. The issue that many patients are interested in is side effects. The fact is that they can sometimes be more complex than the disease itself. So, after taking the substance, such side effects can be observed:
- A decrease in the number of white blood cells and platelets in the blood.
- Epistaxis, which can be difficult to stop.
- Visual impairment, neuritis of the eye.
- Nausea, to which vomiting and diarrhea can join. In this case, treatment must be suspended or changed.
- Stomach ulcer.
- Stomatitis.
- Partial or complete alopecia (baldness).
- Coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, thrombophlebitis.
- Pain and dizziness, increased tearing and fear of light, disorientation in space, loss of clarity of consciousness.
- Dysarthria
- Impaired taste, stomach bleeding, heartburn, decreased appetite and liver function.
- Shortness of breath, cough, bronchospasm.
- Disorders in the reproductive system: in women - lack of menstruation, in men - azoospermia.
- Hyperpigmentation of the skin, its dryness and cracking.
- Urticaria, skin rash, dermatitis.
- Muscle weakness, as well as the attachment of infections of various nature.
As you can see, the liquid or Fluorouracil ointment presented, the instructions for use of which is already clear to you, are quite dangerous medicines. In addition, some studies show the possibility of a strong toxicogenic and carcinogenic effect of the drug.
Product storage conditions
So, you have already received a lot of information about the presented drug. Now you need to consider the features of its storage. Fluorouracil should be in a very dark place. The storage temperature should be 15-25 degrees. Naturally, the medicine should be kept away from places accessible to children. Freezing liquid is highly discouraged.
The shelf life of the drug is 2 years. After this time, the product cannot be taken.
There are times when sediment appears at the bottom of the ampoules. This occurs during long-term storage. Try warming the liquid to 60 degrees with vigorous shaking. Next, cool the substance to 35 degrees. If the precipitate has dissolved, and the liquid has become transparent again, then the drug is ready for use.
Analogues of the drug
The main thing that you need to familiarize yourself with before taking Fluorouracil is the instructions for use. Reviews will also be useful. You will learn about them later.
If the patient cannot acquire this medicine, then the doctor may prescribe analogues to him. They have the same main active ingredient - fluorouracil. Now there are such analogues of this drug:
1. "Fluoro-Uracil".
2. Efundeks.
3. Efu Riks.
4. "Fluoroplex".
5. "Fluratsil".
6. "Fluril."
7. "Queroplex".
8. "Timazin".
Reviews
It should be noted that this medicine is used quite often. Many patients note the high effectiveness of the drug in the fight against tumors.
However, they talk about a large number of side effects: nausea, vomiting, headache, disorientation in space. This is not surprising, since the drug is extremely toxic.
Thus, we presented information about the medicine "Fluorouracil": instructions for use, price, reviews. Remember that you cannot categorically take this medicine yourself. Be sure to consult a doctor. Otherwise, you risk harming yourself even more. Moreover, only a narrow specialist can establish the correct diagnosis after appropriate studies. Be healthy!