5 FU Chemotherapy

5-Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer. 5-Fluorouracil chemotherapy is used treat colon cancer, rectal cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, ovarian cancer and gastrointestinal cancers. 5 Fluorouracil is also known as 5FU or Adrucil. It is a cytotoxic chemotherapy drug which is classified as an antimetabolite.

5 FU chemotherapy drug is injected into the vein using intravenous (IV) method or as an infusion. Schedule of the treatment and amount of drugs depend on the specific chemotherapy protocol. It can be given for several hours to several weeks.

5 FU is also applied topically. A topical cream of 5 FU is applied on the affected skin as a thin coating. It is applied twice a day. Amount of 5 FU used in the treatment depends on various factors like physical state of the patient (weight and height), overall health of patient, other health related problems and type and stage of the cancer. After considering all the factors, doctor will prepare treatment schedule.

5 FU chemotherapy has some side effects as it also destroy the normal body cells. Some common side effects associated with 5 FU chemotherapy are diarrhea, nausea, mouth sores, low appetite, eye problems, low blood cells counts, anemia, bleeding and risk of infection. These side effects are temporary and disappear once the treatment is over.

Consult your doctor about the chemotherapy schedule before your treatment starts. Also seek doctors’ advice in situations like high fever or chills.