5 Flucel 250 Injection | 5 ml in 1 Vial

Introduction of 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection

5 Flucel 250 mg Injection is an anticancer medicine. It is used alone or with other medicines to treat malignant tumours, particularly of the breast, colon or rectum, and in the treatment of gastric, primary hepatic, pancreatic, uterine (cervical particularly), ovarian and bladder carcinomas.

5 Flucel 250 mg Injection may cause some common adverse effects including infections, increased chance of picking up infections and/or delayed wound healing due to low white blood cells, anaemia (reduction in red blood cells), difficulty breathing, abnormality in the heart’s rhythm, diarrhoea, feeling or being sick, anorexia (loss of appetite), inflammation of the lining of the mouth, throat, gut, rectum or anus, hair loss (reversible especially in women), reddening, swelling or pain in the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet, tiredness, feel generally unwell, weakness. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, increasing susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells and heart, liver, and uric acid levels.

5 Flucel 250 mg Injection is not recommended for use if you are allergic to Fluorouracil or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. It is also not recommended for use in people with weak immune systems (Poor nutrition), bone marrow damage due to radiation therapy, serious infections, breastfeeding, and if you are taken in the past 4 weeks brivudine, sorivudine and similar drugs (antivirals). Any of these conditions do you have please make sure to consult your doctor before taking this 5 Flucel 250 mg. Contact your doctor immediately, if you experience the following signs or symptoms such as the new onset of confusion, disorientation, otherwise altered mental status, difficulty with balance or coordination, or visual disturbances. These could be signs of encephalopathy which can lead to coma and death if left untreated.​

Before taking this medicine, you should inform your doctor about your past and present medical history like if you have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections or any other medical complications. Many other medicines interact with this medicine, so make sure to inform your doctor if you taking any prescription medicines or non-prescription medicines, herbal, vitamins, etc. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. It is advised to quit smoking and alcohol while taking this medicine as it can affect the working of the medicine.

​​5 Flucel 250 Injection is administered by a doctor or nurse at a hospital or clinical setting. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. You should avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage. Do not self-administered this 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection.​

Uses of 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection

​​Breast cancer: 5 Flucel 250 Injection is used in the treatment of breast cancer. The signs and symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area, changes in breast size or shape, nipple discharge or inversion, and skin changes such as redness or dimpling. However, some people with breast cancer may not experience any symptoms at all.

Colon or rectal cancer: 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection is used for the treatment of Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, which is a type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum. The symptoms may include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and unintended weight loss.

Gastric cancer: 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection is used for the treatment of gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, which is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach. The symptoms of gastric cancer may include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, difficulty swallowing, unintentional weight loss, and blood in the stool. However, some people with early-stage gastric cancer may not experience any symptoms.

Liver cancer: 5 Flucel 250 mg is used for the treatment of liver cancer. The symptoms of liver cancer may include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and swelling in the abdomen.

Pancreatic cancer: 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection is used for the treatment of pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that originate symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel habits.

Cervical cancer: 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection is used in the treatment of cervical cancer and is a type of cancer that develops in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection. The symptoms of cervical cancer may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, pain during sex, and vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant.

Ovarian cancer: 5 Flucel 250 mg is used to treat ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the ovaries, which are female reproductive organs that produce eggs and female hormones. The symptoms of ovarian cancer may include abdominal pain, bloating, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, frequent urination, and changes in bowel habits.

Bladder cancer: 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection is used in the treatment of bladder cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the bladder, which is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. The symptoms of bladder cancer may include blood in the urine, frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, and lower back pain.

Benefits of 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection

5 Flucel 250 mg Injection can help to treat certain kinds of cancer such as cancer of the breasts, lungs, colon, rectum etc. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat cancer in various parts of the body. 5 Flucel 250 mg kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Side Effects of 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection

​​​​​Most adverse effects do not require medical attention and will go away when your body gets used to the medicine. Inform your doctor if any of these symptoms get severe or that bother you for a longer period.​​​

Most Common Side Effects of 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection

• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Headache
• Hair Loss
• Blisters on feet/fingers

Common Side Effects of 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection

• Decreased red blood cells
• Decreased white blood cells
• Decreased platelets count
• ​Vomiting
• Nausea
• Itching
• Fever
  

How to Use 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection?

5 Flucel 250 mg Injection comes as a liquid (solution) slowly injected (infused) into a body vein by a health care professional, doctor or nurse. The dosage schedule or length of treatment depends on how well your body reacts to the medication and what drugs you are consuming and what type of cancer you have. Dosage and frequency will be decided by your doctor, If you experience any serious side effects during your treatment with 5 Flucel 250 mg, inform your doctor immediately.

How 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection Works?

5 Flucel 250 mg Injection is thought to be the binding of the folate cofactor, N5-1-methylenetetrahydrofolate and deoxyribonucleotide of the drug, to thymidylate synthase to form a covalently bound ternary complex. It works by interfering with the growth of DNA & RNA synthesis (genetic material) of the cancer cells. As result, it stops the multiplication and new development of the cancer cells and eventually kills them.

Safety Advices 5 Flucel 250 mg Injection

Alcohol

Unsafe

Kidney

Safe

Pregnancy

Unsafe

Breastfeeding

Unsafe

Driving

Unsafe

Liver

Use with Caution

References

1. Fluorouracil 25 mg/ml Injection, Hospira UK Limited, Product Leaflet

2. Fluorouracil, Accord Healthcare Pty Ltd, Product Leaflet

3. Fluorouracil Ebewe 50 mg/mL solution for injection, Novartis New Zealand Limited, Product Leaflet

4. Fluorouracil 50 mg/ml Injection, Hospira UK Ltd, Product Leaflet