floxuridine

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Pronunciation: flox URE i deen

Brand: FUDR

What is the most important information I should know about floxuridine?

You should not use floxuridine if you have an infection, bone marrow suppression, or if you are malnourished.

Your doctor will want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.

What is floxuridine?

Floxuridine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Floxuridine is used in the treatment of digestive system cancers that have spread to the liver.

Floxuridine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using floxuridine?

You should not receive floxuridine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • an infection;
  • bone marrow suppression; or
  • if you are malnourished.

To make sure floxuridine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease;
  • if you have had radiation of your pelvic area; or
  • if you have had previous treatment with other chemotherapy medicines.

Do not use floxuridine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy during your treatment with floxuridine. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long to prevent pregnancy after your treatment ends.

It is not known whether floxuridine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I use floxuridine?

Your doctor will want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.

Floxuridine is injected into an artery through an infusion pump. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You will be watched closely while receiving floxuridine, to make sure you do not have a severe reaction to the medication. Your blood will also need to be tested during treatment.

Floxuridine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches, sores in your mouth or throat).

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive floxuridine in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while using floxuridine?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using floxuridine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of floxuridine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • pain or pressure in your chest, feeling light-headed, numbness or tingling anywhere in your body;
  • fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
  • severe vomiting or diarrhea;
  • bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; or
  • any bleeding that will not stop.

Common side effects may include:

  • mild nausea or vomiting, mild diarrhea;
  • temporary hair loss; or
  • redness or irritation where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect floxuridine?

Other drugs may interact with floxuridine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about floxuridine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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