5-FU

5-FU also called as Fluorouracil or Adrucil and sometimes referred to as 5-Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy drug and is used to treat various types of cancers. This drug is usually administered to patients who are suffering from colon and rectal cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, ovarian cancer, gastrointestinal cancers like the stomach, the pancreas, the anal, esophagus, etc.

5-FU comes in inject able form and is administered intravenously or by infusion. The amount that is administered depends upon various factors and the time period also depends upon various factors. This mode of treatment goes on for several hours and continues to several weeks depending upon the type and stage of cancer. Apart from this the age, weight, height, previous and present ailments of the patient is also taken into consideration while administering this drug.

What are the side effects associated with the use of this drug?

Though there are no serious side effects associated with the use of this drug but then there are a few side effects that are visible at the onset of the treatment and goes on until the end of the treatment cycle. Further these side effects are reversible and the side effects disappear after the completion of the treatment cycle. The severity of the side effects again depends upon the dosage of the drug and the body metabolism of the patient. Though this drug does not have its own side effects but as it is a combination drug therapy the associated drugs do have their own set of side effects.

Some of the common side effects which are associated with chemotherapy are diarrhea, mouth sores, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, discoloration of the veins, low blood cell counts leading to anemia, loss of platelets and white blood cells which leads to low immune system etc.

Apart from the above mentioned side effects other side effects are skin rashes, loss of hair, discoloration of the nails, loss of nails, hand and foot syndrome wherein you can see the swelling of the hands and feet etc.

You need to consult your doctor if you find unusual bleeding, chest pain, increase in the cardiac enzymes which leads to heart ailments etc. Though heart ailments are rare this can be possible if you have a previous heart history. If nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, passing of blood in the urine and stools, mouth sores leading to bleeding and ulcers etc persists for a relatively long time period you need to take immediate action and consult your doctor.

Certain precautionary methods

Before you start on 5-FU you need to tell your doctor about all the medications that you are presently on which includes vitamin supplements as well as herbal medications. Avoid crowded places as your body system is weak and you are prone to infections, avoid alcohol, getting yourself immunized or vaccine should also be avoided. Pregnancy should be avoided as this drug is known to cause harmful side effects to the fetus; breast feeding should also be avoided. Maintain a proper regime of hygiene and follow a healthy and nutritious diet. Get your blood tests done regularly to check the proper functioning of the internal organs.

Chemotherapy drugs are known to destroy cancerous cells and help shrink the tumor but apart from this they are known to destroy the healthy normal cells that surround these cancerous cells and 5-FU also belong to this category of antimetabolites which interfere with the cell division and induce cell destruction.