Adrucil Side Effects

Generic name: fluorouracil

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 10, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Adrucil Side Effects associated with fluorouracil. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Adrucil.

Applies to fluorouracil: solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

While you are being treated with fluorouracil (the active ingredient contained in Adrucil) and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval. Fluorouracil may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent. In addition, other persons living in your household should not take oral polio vaccine since there is a chance they could pass the polio virus on to you. Also, avoid persons who have taken oral polio vaccine within the last several months. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you cannot take these precautions, you should consider wearing a protective face mask that covers the nose and mouth.

Fluorouracil can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

Serious side effects of Adrucil

Along with its needed effects, fluorouracil 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 fluorouracil:

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking fluorouracil:

Other side effects of Adrucil

Some side effects of fluorouracil 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:

This medicine often causes a temporary loss of hair. After treatment with fluorouracil has ended, normal hair growth should return.

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

• black, tarry stools
• blood in urine or stools
• cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills
• fever or chills
• lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills
• painful or difficult urination, accompanied by fever or chills
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• unusual bleeding or bruising

For healthcare professionals

Applies to fluorouracil: compounding powder, intravenous solution.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Ischemic ECG abnormalities
• Common (1% to 10%): Angina pectoris-like chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia myocarditis, heart insufficiency, dilative cardiomyopathy, cardiac shock, hypotension
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Cerebral, intestinal and peripheral ischemia, Raynaud's syndrome, thromboembolism
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death
• Frequency not reported: Tachycardia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (hand-foot syndrome), alopecia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dermatitis, skin alterations (e.g., dry skin, fissure erosion, erythema, pruritic maculopapular rash), exanthema, urticaria, photosensitivity, hyperpigmentation, streaky hyperpigmentation or depigmentation near the veins, changes in nails (e.g., diffuse superficial blue pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, nail dystrophy, pain and thickening of the nail bed, paronychia), onycholysis^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Total thyroxin (T4) increased, total triiodothyronine (T3) increased^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Mucositis (stomatitis, esophagitis, pharyngitis, proctitis), anorexia, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dehydration, GI ulceration, GI bleeding, GI sloughing
• Frequency not reported: Dysphagia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Spermatogenesis, ovulation disorder
• Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Myelosuppression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, anemia, pancytopenia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombophlebitis/vein tracking^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Liver cell damage
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Liver necrosis, biliary sclerosis, cholecystitis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Generalized allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Immunosuppression with an increased risk of infection
• Frequency not reported: Sepsis, septic shock, neutropenic sepsis, super infection, cellulitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, dizziness, Parkinson's disease like symptoms, pyramidal signs
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Symptoms of leukoencephalopathy (including ataxia, acute cerebellar syndrome, dysarthria, confusion, disorientation, myasthenia, aphasia, convulsion, or coma in patients receiving high doses and in patients with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency)
• Frequency not reported: Peripheral neuropathy, acute cerebellar syndrome^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nystagmus, excessive lacrimation, blurred vision, eye movement disturbance, optic neuritis, diplopia, decrease in visual acuity, photophobia, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, ectropion, dacryostenosis^[Ref]

Renal

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Kidney failure^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Euphoria, somnolence
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Confusion
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Disorientation^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Bronchospasm, epistaxis
• Frequency not reported: Breathlessness, pneumonia, pharyngitis^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What is FOLFIRINOX regimen​ and how is it used?
• What is the FOLFIRI chemo regimen and how does it work?
• What is the FOLFOX chemo regimen and is it effective?
• What is the FLOT chemotherapy regimen and how does it work?
• Does duct tape really remove warts?

Further information

Adrucil side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer