Fluorouracil

Fluorouracil is recommended for administration either as an intravenous bolus or as an intravenous infusion. Individualize the dose and dosing schedule of fluorouracil based on tumor type, the specific regimen administered, disease state, response to treatment, and patient risk factors.

• The recommended dose of fluorouracil, administered in an infusional regimen in combination with leucovorin alone, or in combination with leucovorin and oxaliplatin or irinotecan, is 400 mg/m ²by intravenous bolus on Day 1, followed by 2,400 mg/m ²to 3,000 mg/m ²intravenously as a continuous infusion over 46 hours every two weeks.
• The recommended dose of fluorouracil, if administered in a bolus dosing regimen in combination with leucovorin, is 500 mg/m ²by intravenous bolus on Days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36 in 8-week cycles.

• The recommended dose of fluorouracil, administered as a component of a cyclophosphamide-based multidrug regimen, is 500 mg/m ²or 600 mg/m ²intravenously on Days 1 and 8 every 28 days for 6 cycles.

• The recommended dose of fluorouracil, administered as a component of a platinum-containing multidrug chemotherapy regimen, is 200 mg/m ²to 1,000 mg/m ²intravenously as a continuous infusion over 24 hours. The frequency of dosing in each cycle and the length of each cycle will depend on the dose of fluorouracil and the specific regimen administered.

• The recommended dose of fluorouracil, administered as an infusional regimen in combination with leucovorin or as a component of a multidrug chemotherapy regimen that includes leucovorin, is 400 mg/m ²intravenous bolus on Day 1, followed by 2,400 mg/m ²intravenously as a continuous infusion over 46 hours every two weeks.

Withhold fluorouracil for any of the following:

• Development of angina, myocardial infarction/ischemia, arrhythmia, or heart failure in patients with no history of coronary artery disease or myocardial dysfunction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2)]
• Hyperammonemic encephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3)]
• Acute cerebellar syndrome, confusion, disorientation, ataxia, or visual disturbances [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4)]
• Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5)]
• Grade 2 or 3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (hand-foot syndrome) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6)]
• Grade 3 or 4 mucositis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8)]
• Grade 4 myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7)]

Upon resolution or improvement to Grade 1 diarrhea, mucositis, myelosuppression, or palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, resume fluorouracil administration at a reduced dose.

There is no recommended dose for resumption of fluorouracil administration following development of any of the following adverse reactions:

• Cardiac toxicity
• Hyperammonemic encephalopathy
• Acute cerebellar syndrome, confusion, disorientation, ataxia, or visual disturbances

The 10 mL and 20 mL vials are only intended for preparation under appropriate conditions for cytotoxic drugs [see Reference ( 15)] .

Store vial at room temperature. Under aseptic conditions, withdraw the calculated dose for an individual patient into a sterile syringe. Inspect the solution in syringe for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration or further dilution. Discard syringe if the solution is discolored or contains particulate matter. Discard unused portion.

Note

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Although the Fluorouracil solution may discolor slightly during storage, the potency and safety are not adversely affected. If a precipitate occurs in intact vials due to exposure to low temperatures, resolubilize by heating to 140°F and shaking vigorously; allow to cool to body temperature before using.

Do not administer in the same intravenous line concomitantly with other medicinal products.

For bolus administration, store undiluted fluorouracil in the syringe for up to 4 hours at room temperature (25°C). Administer fluorouracil as an intravenous bolus through an established intravenous line.

Store diluted solutions of fluorouracil for up to 4 hours at room temperature (25°C) prior to administration to the patient. For intravenous infusion regimens, administer through a central venous line using an infusion pump.

Patients with certain homozygous or compound heterozygous variants in the DPYDgene known to result in complete or near complete absence of DPD activity (complete DPD deficiency) are at increased risk for acute early-onset toxicity and serious, including fatal, adverse reactions due to fluorouracil (e.g., mucositis, diarrhea, neutropenia, and neurotoxicity). Patients with partial DPD activity (partial DPD deficiency) may also have increased risk of serious, including fatal, adverse reactions.

Fluorouracil is not recommended for use in patients known to have certain homozygous or compound heterozygous DPYDvariants that result in complete DPD deficiency.

Withhold or permanently discontinue fluorouracil based on clinical assessment of the onset, duration, and severity of the observed adverse events in patients with evidence of acute early-onset or unusually severe reactions, which may indicate complete DPD deficiency. No fluorouracil dose has been proven safe for patients with complete DPD deficiency. There are insufficient data to recommend a specific dose in patients with partial DPD deficiency.

Consider testing for genetic variants of DPYDprior to initiating fluorouracil to reduce the risk of serious adverse reactions if the patient’s clinical status permits and based on clinical judgement [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.5)] . Serious adverse reactions may still occur even if no DPYDvariants are identified.

An FDA-authorized test for the detection of genetic variants of DPYDto identify patients at risk of serious adverse reactions due to increased systemic exposure to fluorouracil is not currently available. Currently available tests used to identify DPYDvariants may vary in accuracy and design (e.g., which DPYDvariant(s) they identify).

Fluorouracil can cause cardiotoxicity, including angina, myocardial infarction/ischemia, arrhythmia, and heart failure, based on postmarketing reports. Reported risk factors for cardiotoxicity are administration by continuous infusion rather than intravenous bolus and presence of coronary artery disease. Withhold fluorouracil for cardiotoxicity. The risks of resumption of fluorouracil in patients with cardiotoxicity that has resolved have not been established.

Fluorouracil can cause hyperammonemic encephalopathy in the absence of liver disease or other identifiable cause, based on postmarketing reports. Signs or symptoms of hyperammonemic encephalopathy began within 72 hours after initiation of fluorouracil infusion; these included altered mental status, confusion, disorientation, coma, or ataxia, in the presence of concomitant elevated serum ammonia level. Withhold fluorouracil for hyperammonemic encephalopathy and initiate ammonia-lowering therapy. The risks of resumption of fluorouracil in patients with hyperammonemic encephalopathy that has resolved have not been established.

Fluorouracil can cause neurologic toxicity, including acute cerebellar syndrome and other neurologic events, based on postmarketing reports. Neurologic symptoms included confusion, disorientation, ataxia, or visual disturbances. Withhold fluorouracil for neurologic toxicity. There are insufficient data on the risks of resumption of fluorouracil in patients with neurologic toxicity that has resolved.

Fluorouracil can cause severe diarrhea. Withhold fluorouracil for Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea until resolved or decreased in intensity to Grade 1, then resume fluorouracil at a reduced dose. Administer fluids, electrolyte replacement, or antidiarrheal treatments as necessary.

Fluorouracil can cause palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, also known as hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Symptoms of HFS include a tingling sensation, pain, swelling, and erythema with tenderness, and desquamation. HFS occurs more commonly when fluorouracil is administered as a continuous infusion than when fluorouracil is administered as a bolus injection, and has been reported to occur more frequently in patients with previous exposure to chemotherapy. HFS is generally observed after 8-9 weeks of fluorouracil administration but may occur earlier. Institute supportive measures for symptomatic relief of HFS. Withhold fluorouracil administration for Grade 2 or 3 HFS; resume fluorouracil at a reduced dose when HFS is completely resolved or decreased in severity to Grade 1.

Fluorouracil can cause severe and fatal myelosuppression which may include neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. The nadir in neutrophil counts commonly occurs between 9 and 14 days after fluorouracil administration. Obtain complete blood counts prior to each treatment cycle, weekly if administered on a weekly or similar schedule, and as needed. Withhold fluorouracil until Grade 4 myelosuppression resolves; resume fluorouracil at a reduced dose when myelosuppression has resolved or improved to Grade 1 in severity.

Mucositis, stomatitis or esophagopharyngitis, which may lead to mucosal sloughing or ulceration, can occur with fluorouracil. The incidence is reported to be higher with administration of fluorouracil by intravenous bolus compared with administration by continuous infusion. Withhold fluorouracil administration for Grade 3 or 4 mucositis; resume fluorouracil at a reduced dose once mucositis has resolved or decreased in severity to Grade 1.

Clinically significant elevations in coagulation parameters have been reported during concomitant use of warfarin and fluorouracil. Closely monitor patients receiving concomitant coumarin-derivative anticoagulants such as warfarin for INR or prothrombin time in order to adjust the anticoagulant dose accordingly [see Drug Interactions ( 7)].

Based on its mechanism of action, fluorouracil can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal studies, administration of fluorouracil at doses lower than a human dose of 12 mg/kg caused teratogenicity. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 3 months following cessation of therapy with fluorouracil [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1, 8.6), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1), and Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1)].

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of fluorouracil. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Hematologic:pancytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7)]

Gastrointestinal:gastrointestinal ulceration, nausea, vomiting

Allergic Reactions:anaphylaxis and generalized allergic reactions

Neurologic:nystagmus, headache

Dermatologic:dry skin; fissuring; photosensitivity, as manifested by erythema or increased pigmentation of the skin; vein pigmentation

Ophthalmic:lacrimal duct stenosis, visual changes, lacrimation, photophobia

Psychiatric:euphoria

Miscellaneous:thrombophlebitis, epistaxis, nail changes (including loss of nails)

Elevated coagulation times have been reported in patients taking fluorouracil concomitantly with warfarin. While pharmacokinetic data are not available to assess the effect of fluorouracil administration on warfarin pharmacokinetics, the elevation of coagulation times that occurs with the fluorouracil prodrug capecitabine is accompanied by an increase in warfarin concentrations. Thus, the interaction may be due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 2C9 by fluorouracil or its metabolites.

Pregnancy Category D

Risk Summary

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with fluorouracil in pregnant women. Based on its mechanism of action, fluorouracil can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Administration of fluorouracil to rats and mice during selected periods of organogenesis, at doses lower than a human dose of 12 mg/kg, caused embryolethality and teratogenicity. Malformations included cleft palate and skeletal defects. In monkeys, maternal doses of fluorouracil higher than an approximate human dose of 12 mg/kg resulted in abortion. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, apprise the patient of the potential hazard to a fetus [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1)].

Animal Data

Malformations including cleft palate, skeletal defects and deformed appendages (paws and tails) were observed when fluorouracil was administered by intraperitoneal injection to mice at doses at or above 10 mg/kg (approximately 0.06 times a human dose of 12 mg/kg on a mg/m ²basis) for 4 days during the period of organogenesis. Similar results were observed in hamsters administered fluorouracil intramuscularly at doses lower than those administered in commonly used clinical treatment regimens. In rats, administration of fluorouracil by intraperitoneal injection at doses greater than 15 mg/kg (approximately 0.2 times a human dose of 12 mg/kg on a mg/m ²basis) for a single day during organogenesis resulted in delays in growth and malformations including micro-anophthalmos. In monkeys, administration of fluorouracil during organogenesis at doses approximately equal to a human dose of 12 mg/kg on a mg/m ²basis resulted in abortion; at a 50% lower dose, resorptions and decreased fetal body weights were reported.

It is not known whether fluorouracil or its metabolites are present in human milk. Because many drugs are present in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from fluorouracil, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Reported clinical experience has not identified differences in safety or effectiveness between the elderly and younger patients.

Contraception

Females

Based on its mechanism of action, fluorouracil can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with fluorouracil and for up to 3 months following cessation of therapy [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1)].

Males

Fluorouracil may damage spermatozoa. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 3 months following cessation of therapy with fluorouracil [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1)].

Infertility

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential that, based on animal data, fertility may be impaired while receiving fluorouracil [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1)].

Males

Advise males of reproductive potential that, based on animal data, fertility may be impaired while receiving fluorouracil [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1)].

Fluorouracil is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor that interferes with the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and to a lesser extent inhibits the formation of ribonucleic acid (RNA); these affect rapidly growing cells and may lead to cell death. Fluorouracil is converted to three main active metabolites: 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate (FdUMP), 5-fluorouridine-5′- triphosphate (FUTP) and 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-triphosphate (FdUTP). These metabolites have several effects including the inhibition of thymidylate synthase by FdUMP, incorporation of FUTP into RNA and incorporation of FdUTP into DNA.

Distribution

Following bolus intravenous injection, fluorouracil distributes throughout the body including the intestinal mucosa, bone marrow, liver, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue.

Elimination

Following bolus intravenous injection, 5 – 20 % of the parent drug is excreted unchanged in the urine in six hours. The remaining percentage of the administered dose is metabolized, primarily in the liver. The metabolites of fluorouracil (e.g., urea and α-fluoro-ß-alanine) are excreted in the urine over 3 to 4 hours.

Following bolus intravenous injection of fluorouracil, as a single agent, the elimination half-life increased with dose from 8 to 20 minutes.

The DPYDgene encodes the enzyme DPD, which is responsible for the catabolism of >80% of fluorouracil. Approximately 3-5% of White populations have partial DPD deficiency and 0.2% of White populations have complete DPD deficiency, which may be due to certain genetic no function or decreased function variants in DPYDresulting in partial to complete or near complete absence of enzyme activity. DPD deficiency is estimated to be more prevalent in Black or African American populations compared to White populations. Insufficient information is available to estimate the prevalence of DPD deficiency in other populations.

Patients who are homozygous or compound heterozygous for no function DPYDvariants (i.e., carry two no function DPYDvariants) or are compound heterozygous for a no function DPYDvariant plus a decreased function DPYDvariant have complete DPD deficiency and are at increased risk for acute early-onset of toxicity and serious life-threatening, or fatal adverse reactions due to increased systemic exposure to fluorouracil. Partial DPD deficiency can result from the presence of either two decreased function DPYDvariants or one normal function plus either a decreased function or a no function DPYDvariant. Patients with partial DPD deficiency may also be at an increased risk for toxicity from fluorouracil.

Four DPYDvariants have been associated with impaired DPD activity in White populations, especially when present as homozygous or compound heterozygous variants: c.1905+1G>A ( DPYD*2A), c.1679T>G ( DPYD*13), c.2846A>T, and c.1129-5923C>G (Haplotype B3). DPYD*2A and DPYD*13 are no function variants, and c.2846A>T and c.1129-5923C>G are decreased function variants. The decreased function DPYDvariant c.557A>G is observed in individuals of African ancestry. This is not a complete listing of all DPYDvariants that may result in DPD deficiency [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)].

Carcinogenicity studies have not been performed with fluorouracil. Fluorouracil was mutagenic in vitroin the bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assay and induced chromosomal aberrations in hamster fibroblasts in vitroand in mouse bone marrow in the in vivomouse micronucleus assay.

Administration of fluorouracil intraperitoneally to male rats at dose levels equal to or greater than 1.7-fold the human dose of 12 mg/kg induced chromosomal aberrations in spermatogonia and inhibition of spermatogonia differentiation resulting in transient infertility. In female rats, intraperitoneal administration of fluorouracil during the pre-ovulatory phases of oogenesis at dose levels equal to or greater than 0.33 times a human dose of 12 mg/kg resulted in decreased incidence of fertile matings, increased pre-implantation loss, and fetotoxicity.

Fluorouracil injection, USP is supplied as follows:

NDC 84549-117-10

10 mL single-dose, flip-top vial

500 mg per 10 mL

(50 mg per mL)

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. PROTECT FROM LIGHT. DO NOT FREEZE. Retain in carton until time of use.

Fluorouracil injection, USP, is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposable procedures [see References ( 15)].

The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex.