Floxuridine (Injection)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 15, 2022.
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 .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- FUDR
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Antimetabolite
Uses for floxuridine
Floxuridine belongs to the group of medicines known as antimetabolites. It is used to treat some kinds of cancer.
Floxuridine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by floxuridine, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with floxuridine, you and your doctor should talk about the good floxuridine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Floxuridine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Before using floxuridine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For floxuridine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to floxuridine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
There is no specific information comparing use of floxuridine in children with use in other age groups.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. Although there is no specific information comparing use of floxuridine in the elderly with use in other age groups, floxuridine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
