How Far Is Too Far? The Ethics of Mini Brain Research
December 11, 2025
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Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
Fluoracil, Fluorouracilum, Fluorouracilo, 5-Fluaracil, 5-Fluoracil 
Class :
 Antineoplastic agents/Antimetabolite 
Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
Fluoracil, Fluorouracilum, Fluorouracilo, 5-Fluaracil, 5-Fluoracil 
Class :
 Antineoplastic agents/Antimetabolite 
Dosage Forms & Strengths:    Â
Solution for injection Â
50 mg/ml Â
400 mg/m² of intravenous pyelogram on 1st day,
then 2400-3000 mg/m² intravenously as a continuous infusion for 46 hours every 2 weeks combined with leucovorin and/or oxaliplatin/irinotecan
500 or 600 mg/m² intravenously on 1st and 8th day of every 28 days cycle for 6 cycles, as a part of multi drug regimen, based on cyclophosphamide
200-1000 mg/m² per day intravenously for 24 hours as a part of a platinum-based regimen)
Frequency and duration of every cycle differs on the basis of dose and regimen
400 mg/m² of intravenous pyelogram on 1st day, followed by 2400 mg/m² intravenously continuously for 46 hours every 2 weeks
multidrug chemotherapy regimen
For multidrug chemotherapy regimen combined with leucovorin 400 mg/m² intravenous pyelogram on 1st day, followed by 2400 mg/m² intravenously for 46 hours every 2 weeks
No dose indicated; safety & efficacy not reported in children and infants Â
Refer to the adult dosing  Â
may enhance the QTc-prolonging effect of Fluorouracil Products
may enhance the QTc-prolonging effect of Fluorouracil Products
may enhance the QTc-prolonging effect of Fluorouracil Products
may enhance the QTc-prolonging effect of Fluorouracil Products
may enhance the QTc-prolonging effect of Fluorouracil Products
the effect of adenovirus is decreased on combining with fluorouracil due to antagonism between drugs
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
either of the drug in combination increases the toxic effect of the other due to synergistic activity/risk of infection
the effect of erdafitinib is decreased by fluorouracil by the action on CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
toxicity of fluorouracil is increased by germanium through an unspecific interaction mechanism/risk of toxicity
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent adjuvanted
the effect of the influenza vaccine is decreased by fluorouracil through antagonistic activity
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
the toxicity of fluorouracil is increased by palifermin
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other
the effect of erdafitinib is increased by fluorouracil by the action on CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
the effect of fluorouracil is increased by tinidazole by reducing hepatic clearance value
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
may have an increased myelosuppressive effect when combined with fexinidazole
either of the drugs, when used in combination, increases the toxicity due to synergistic activity
the effect of antithrombin III is increased by fluorouracil with the help of an unspecific interaction mechanism
the effect of argatroban is increased by fluorouracil with the help of an unspecific interaction mechanism
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
the effect of bivalirudin is increased by fluorouracil through the unspecific mechanism of interaction
the effect of the cholera vaccine is decreased by fluorouracil through immunosuppression/risk of infection
the effect of dabigatran is increased by fluorouracil with the help of an unspecific interaction mechanism
the effect of dalteparin is increased by fluorouracil with the help of an unspecific interaction mechanism
the effect of the dengue vaccine is decreased by fluorouracil through immunosuppression/risk of infection
the effect of diclofenac is increased by fluorouracil by the action on CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
the effect of dronabinol is increased by fluorouracil by the action on CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
the effect of eluxadoline is increased by fluorouracil by the action on CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
the effect of enoxaparin is increased by fluorouracil with the help of an unspecific interaction mechanism
the levels of ethotoin are increased by fluorouracil via an unknown mechanism
the effect of fluorouracil is increased by eucalyptus
the effect of fingolimod is decreased by fluorouracil through immunosuppression/risk of infection
the effect of fondaparinux is increased by fluorouracil with the help of an unspecific interaction mechanism
the levels of fosphenytoin are increased by fluorouracil via an unknown mechanism
the effect of glyburide is increased by fluorouracil by the action on CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
the effect of heparin is increased by fluorouracil with the help of an unspecific interaction mechanism
the effect of the influenza A vaccine is decreased by fluorouracil via pharmacodynamic antagonism
influenza virus vaccine (h n ) adjuvanted
the effect of the influenza virus vaccine is decreased by fluorouracil via pharmacodynamic antagonism
the effect of lacosamide is increased by fluorouracil by the action on CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
the effect of lesinurad is increased by fluorouracil by the action on CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
the toxicity of fluorouracil is increased by leucovorin due to synergistic activity
the effect of the meningococcal vaccine is decreased by fluorouracil due to pharmacodynamic antagonism
the toxicity of fluorouracil is increased by metronidazole via decreasing elimination
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
the level of effect of ospemifene is increased by fluorouracil, by impacting CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
the levels of phenytoin are increased by fluorouracil due to an unknown mechanism
the antagonistic activity between sipuleucel-T and fluorouracil decreases the effect of sipuleucel-T
the level or effect of terbinafine is increased by fluorouracil, by impacting CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
the level or effect of warfarin is increased by fluorouracil, by impacting CYP2C9/10 hepatic enzyme metabolism
may have an increased QTc-prolonging effect when combined with fluorouracil products
may have an increased QTc-prolonging effect when combined with fluorouracil products
may have an increased QTc-prolonging effect when combined with fluorouracil products
may have an increased QTc-prolonging effect when combined with fluorouracil products
may have an increased QTc-prolonging effect when combined with fluorouracil products
when ajmaline is used together with fluorouracil, the risk or seriousness of QTc prolongation is enhanced
when bromazepam and fluorouracil are used together, there is a potential reduction in the bromazepam's metabolism
When acetohexamide is used together with fluorouracil, this lead to reduction in acetohexamide’s metabolism
When fluorouracil is used together with somatotropin, this leads to a rise in fluorouracil metabolism
When fluorouracil is used together with andrographolide, this leads to enhanced risk or seriousness of bleeding
fluorouracil: they may increase the bradycardic effect of Bradycardia-Causing Agents
fluorouracil: they may increase the bradycardic effect of Bradycardia-Causing Agents
fluorouracil: they may increase the bradycardic effect of Bradycardia-Causing Agents
fluorouracil: they may increase the bradycardic effect of Bradycardia-Causing Agents
fluorouracil: they may increase the bradycardic effect of Bradycardia-Causing Agents
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects  
when both drugs are combined, 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
the effect of fluorouracil is increased due to synergism between maitake and fluorouracil
the level of taurine is decreased by fluorouracil via an unspecific mechanism of interaction
the effect of fluorouracil is increased due to synergism between vitamin A and fluorouracil
the impact of fluorouracil is increased due to synergism between vitamin E and fluorouracil
Actions and Spectrum Â
Inhibition of DNA synthesis: fluorouracil interferes with the production of DNA, which is essential for the growth and replication of cancer cells. By inhibiting DNA synthesis, fluorouracil can slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. Â
Inhibition of RNA synthesis: fluorouracil also inhibits the production of RNA, which is another important component of the genetic material of cells. This interference with RNA synthesis can further inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Â
Induction of apoptosis: fluorouracil can induce programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in cancer cells. This helps to eliminate cancer cells from the body. Â
Frequency defined:    Â
1% to 10%    Â
Maculopapular eruption (pruritic) Â
Hand-foot syndrome Â
Photosensitivity Â
Alopecia Â
Myelosuppression Â
Mucositis Â
Diarrhea Â
Vomiting Â
Nausea Â
Headache Â
Loss of appetite Â
Frequency undefined: Â
Angina Â
Thrombophlebitis Â
Darkening of veins Â
Gastrointestinal ulcer Â
Increased LFTs Â
Anaphylaxis Â
Ophthalmic findings Â
Nystagmus Â
Hyperbilirubinemia Â
Black Box Warning Â
None Â
Contraindication /Caution Â
Pregnancy/Lactation Â
Pregnancy : No well-controlled studies are reported on the usage of fluorouracil in pregnant women. Due to the potential hazard to the fetus, the drug should not be administered to pregnant females. Â
Breastfeeding warnings:    The excretion of a drug into the breastmilk is unknown. Due to the potential adverse drug reactions reported. It is not recommended for lactating females to take fluorouracil during treatment. Â
Pregnancy Categories:      Â
Pharmacology Â
Fluorouracil, or 5-FU, is an antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent that is effective for cancer cells that actively divide and synthesise DNA. It is an inactive drug that gets transformed into its active form in the body, which makes it a prodrug.Â
PharmacodynamicsÂ
The pharmacodynamics of fluorouracil (5-FU) is that it inhibits the activity of certain enzymes that play significant roles in the synthesis of DNA and RNA and thus denies the cancerous cells their ability to divide and proliferate. Fluorouracil works as an antimetabolite, which is a substance that resembles other molecules that are naturally present in cells and require for correct function and might mimic the missing molecules. The active metabolite of fluorouracil is 5-fluoro-2’-deoxyuridine-5’-monophosphate, and fluorouracil acts to inhibit thymidylate synthase. Thymidylate synthase is involved in the formation of thymidine, which is a nucleotide needed for DNA biosynthesis. Fluorouracil works towards inhibition of this enzyme and thereby affects DNA synthesis and cell division leading to death of cancerous cells.Â
Pharmacokinetics:  Â
AbsorptionÂ
Fluorouracil has therapeutic effects, which is established in 2-7 days of its administration. However, the therapeutic effect may take up to 12 weeks for maximum effectiveness and desirable health outcomes.Â
DistributionÂ
The distribution of fluorouracil is rapid and the drug is distributed throughout the body. Nonetheless, they have failed to provide information regarding the volume of distribution (Vd) of the drug in the present study.Â
MetabolismÂ
Primary Site: LiverÂ
Metabolites: Metabolites formed during the metabolism of fluorouracil include urea, fluorouracil, dihydrofluorouracil, and expired CO2Â
Elimination/ExcretionÂ
Primary Route: UrineÂ
Fluorouracil is metabolised in the liver and then the metabolites are eliminated through the kidneys into the urine.Â
Administration Â
Patient information leaflet Â
Generic Name: fluorouracil Â
Pronounced: FLOOR-oh-URE-a-sil Â
Why do we use fluorouracil? Â
Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a medication primarily used in the treatment of cancer, particularly:Â
Colorectal Cancer: 5-Fluorouracil is widely employed for the treatment of colorectal cancer sometimes in combination with other chemotherapy or radiotherapy agents. It may be given in the adjuvant setting (after surgery where the aim is to eradicate the disease and prevent relapse) or in the palliative/advanced stage treatment (where the primary goal is to alleviate the suffering and enhance the quality of life).Â
Breast Cancer: It is also used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of breast cancer.Â
Gastrointestinal Cancers: Apart from colorectal cancer, fluorouracil is also beneficial for other cancers such as gastrointestinal cancer of the stomach, pancreas, and esophagus.Â
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