Anthropometric Measurements as Predictors of Low Birth Weight Among Tanzanian Neonates: A Hospital-Based Study
November 7, 2025
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Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
floxuridine
Class :
Anticancer & Antimetabolites
Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
floxuridine
Class :
Anticancer & Antimetabolites
Dosage Forms & Strengths
Solution reconstituted, Injection
0.5 g/vial
Note: Reported with possibilities of severe toxic reactions. Recommended to be given only by or under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider with experience in the intra-arterial drug therapy of potent antimetabolite for cancer chemotherapy.
0.25
mg/kg
once a day
Intra-arterial continuous infusion for 14 days for a cycle of 5 weeks, continue for 6 cycles with dexamethasone and heparin
Start floxuridine therapy 2 weeks after 6 cycles of fluorouracil and leucovorin
Dose Adjustments
Reduce the dose by 20% of the usual dose for the following conditions:
o Serum bilirubin 1.2 x ULN or alkaline phosphatase 1.2 x ULN
o Baseline AST is 3 to <4 times the baseline value
Reduce the dose by 50% of the usual dose for the following conditions:
o Serum bilirubin 1.5 x ULN or alkaline phosphatase 1.5 x ULN
o AST is 4 to <5 times the baseline value
Discontinue the dose if any of the following adverse reactions appear:
o White blood count < 3,500/mm3
o Platelet count <1,00,000/mm3
o Vomiting, diarrhea or gastrointestinal bleeding/ulceration
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
may reduce the plasma concentration of allopurinol
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
it may reduce the therapeutical efficacy of the vaccine
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
it may increase the adverse effects such as bone marrow suppression activity
CYP2C9 inhibitors enhance the plasma concentration of fosphenytoin
may enhance the plasma concentration of fluorouracil-derived products
may enhance the QTc-prolonging effects of haloperidol
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
chemotherapeutic agents may diminish the therapeutic effects of lenograstim
may increase adverse effects of fluorouracil-derived products
may decrease the therapeutic effects of lipefilgrastim
may enhance the plasma concentration of fluorouracil-derived products
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
it may increase the adverse effects such as bone marrow suppression activity
may increase the adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents
may reduce the therapeutic efficacy of pidotimod
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
QTc interval is increased both by lenvatinib and floxuridine
chemotherapeutic agents may diminish the therapeutic effects of brincidofovir
it may increase the adverse effects such as bone marrow suppression activity floxu
may enhance the plasma concentration of fluorouracil-derived products
it may increase the adverse effects such as bone marrow suppression activity
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increase in immunosuppressive activity and the risk of severe infection
it may increase the adverse effects such as bone marrow suppression activity
When acetohexamide is used together with floxuridine, this lead to reduction in acetohexamide’s metabolism
When floxuridine is used together with andrographolide, this leads to enhanced risk or seriousness of bleeding
floxuridine leads to a reduction in the rate of excretion of nitric oxide, which leads to an increased level of serum
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects   
when carmustine combines with floxuridine, the risk or severity of adverse effects increases    
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects  
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
Floxuridine is rapidly metabolized into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), its active form. 5-FU disrupts cancer cell function primarily by inhibiting DNA synthesis, which it achieves through the formation of an active metabolite called FUDR-MP (5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate). This metabolite blocks the enzyme thymidylate synthase, essential for converting deoxyuridylic acid into thymidylic acid—a key step in DNA production. Additionally, 5-FU can be incorporated into RNA, disrupting RNA function and protein synthesis, and may inhibit riboside phosphorylase, an enzyme involved in the salvage of uracil for RNA synthesis.Â
It is primarily used against solid tumors, particularly colorectal cancer that has metastasized to the liver. Its localized action through intra-arterial infusion provides high drug concentrations directly to hepatic tumors, enhancing effectiveness while limiting systemic exposure.Â
Frequency defined:Â
>10%Â
DiarrheaÂ
StomatitisÂ
AnemiaÂ
Bone marrow depressionÂ
LeukopeniaÂ
thrombocytopenia Â
1% to 10%Â Â
DermatitisÂ
Localized erythemaÂ
Skin hyperpigmentationÂ
PhotosensitivityÂ
AlopeciaÂ
AnorexiaÂ
Biliary sclerosisÂ
CholecystitisÂ
Anorexia Â
<1%:Â
Abdominal crampsÂ
Abdominal painÂ
Duodenal ulcerÂ
Gastrointestinal hemorrhageÂ
Gastrointestinal ulcerÂ
NauseaÂ
Skin rashÂ
VomitingÂ
WeaknessÂ
The medication must be given under the guidance of a physician skilled in cancer chemotherapy due to the potential for serious toxic side effects.Â
Patients should be admitted to a hospital at the start of treatment to allow close monitoring for any severe adverse reactions.Â
ContraindicationsÂ
Use with caution in individuals who have a known allergy to the drug, are malnourished, or have significant bone marrow suppression—such as a white blood cell count below 5000/mmÂł or a platelet count under 100,000/mmÂł, or rapidly declining blood counts.Â
CautionsÂ
Use caution in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction. Stop treatment if white blood cell count drops below 3500/mm³, if there’s a rapid decline, or if platelet count falls below 100,000/mm³. Immediately discontinue the drug if a myocardial infarction occurs. Therapy should also be halted in cases of severe side effects such as mouth or throat inflammation, low white blood cells or platelets, persistent vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, or diarrhea. Extra caution is advised in patients with prior high-dose pelvic radiation or those previously treated with alkylating agents. Use of the drug during pregnancy should be avoided.
Pregnancy consideration: floxuridine is assigned under pregnancy category D.Â
Lactation: No data available for excretion in breast milk, it should be avoided due to potential side effects. Â
Pregnancy category:Â
Floxuridine is an antimetabolite chemotherapy drug used for palliative treatment of liver metastases originating from gastrointestinal cancers. Once administered by rapid injection, it is converted into fluorouracil, its active form. The medication is supplied as a sterile, lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted before use.Â
PharmacokineticsÂ
AbsorptionÂ
Administered intravenously or intra-arterially, bypassing gastrointestinal absorption.Â
DistributionÂ
Rapidly distributed and taken up by tissues, particularly in the liver when administered intra-arterially.Â
MetabolismÂ
Primarily metabolized in the liver to active and inactive metabolites.Metabolites includes fluorouracil (active), dihydrofluorouracil, urea, and carbon dioxide (expired through the lungs).Â
Elimination/ExcretionÂ
It is eliminated mainly through the urine.Â
Half-life: Approximately 16 minutes.Â
PharmacodynamicsÂ
Floxuridine is a pyrimidine analog and antimetabolite that interferes with DNA synthesis during the S-phase of cell division, mainly affecting rapidly dividing cells. Structurally similar to natural pyrimidines, it competes with them and prevents their proper incorporation into DNA. Once metabolized, it is converted into fluorouracil, which inhibits the enzyme needed to convert cytosine nucleosides into their DNA form. Additionally, fluorouracil replaces thymidine in the DNA strand, further blocking DNA production and cell replication.
Reconstitute floxuridine with 5 mL sterile water for injection to achieve a concentration of 100 mg/mL. For IV use, further dilute in D5W or normal saline. Administer via infusion pump (external or implanted). Store unopened vials at 15–30°C. Reconstituted solutions may be refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within 2 weeks.Â
Generic Name: floxuridine (Rx)   Â
Pronounced: flox-eu-ri-din Â
Why do we use floxuridine? Â
Floxuridine is prescribed for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, such as those affecting the stomach or intestines, that have metastasized to the liver. It belongs to a group of drugs known as antimetabolites and functions by inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.Â
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