FUDR Side Effects

Generic name: floxuridine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 30, 2024.

Note: This document contains side effect information about floxuridine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name FUDR.

Applies to floxuridine: injection powder for solution.

Warning

Injection route (Powder for Solution)

It is recommended that floxuridine be given only by or under the supervision of a qualified physician who is experienced in cancer chemotherapy and intra-arterial drug therapy and is well versed in the use of potent antimetabolites. Because of the possibility of severe toxic reactions, all patients should be hospitalized for initiation of the first course of therapy.

Serious side effects of FUDR

Along with its needed effects, floxuridine (the active ingredient contained in FUDR) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking floxuridine:

More common

Diarrhea
sores in mouth and on lips
stomach pain or cramps

Less common

Black, tarry stools
heartburn
nausea and vomiting
scaling or redness of hands or feet
swelling or soreness of the tongue

Rare

Blood in urine or stools
cough or hoarseness
fever or chills
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red spots on skin
trouble in walking
unusual bleeding or bruising
yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of FUDR

Some side effects of floxuridine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common or rare

Loss of appetite
skin rash or itching

This medicine sometimes causes temporary thinning of hair. After treatment with floxuridine has ended, normal hair growth should return.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to floxuridine: injectable powder for injection.

Other

Frequency not reported: Fever, lethargy, malaise, weakness

-Adverse reactions to the arterial infusion of this drug are generally related to the procedural complications of regional arterial infusion. The complications include arterial aneurysm, arterial ischemia, arterial thrombosis, embolism, fibromyositis, thrombophlebitis, hepatic necrosis, abscesses, infection at the catheter site, bleeding at the catheter site and/or a blocked, leaking, or displaced catheter.

-Laboratory abnormalities include BSP, prothrombin, total proteins, sedimentation rate and thrombocytopenia.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Stomatitis, esophagopharyngitis (at the first visible sign), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, enteritis, stomatitis, duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis, bleeding, gastroenteritis, glossitis, pharyngitis, anorexia, cramps, abdominal pain, possible intra- and extrahepatic biliary sclerosis, acalculous cholecystitis^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Leukopenia (WBC under 3500) or a rapidly falling white blood count, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage (from any site)^[Ref]