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Overview: Floxuridine is used to treat certain people with a type of gastrointestinal cancer. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores. Sometimes, these side effects can be severe. Other serious side effects may include blood disorders or severe bleeding. Floxuridine is given as an injection by a health care provider.

Uses

What is floxuridine used for?

Floxuridine is commonly used to treat a certain type of gastrointestinal cancer that has spread to the liver.

Floxuridine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does floxuridine work (mechanism of action)?

Floxuridine is chemotherapy. It works to block cancer cells from making DNA. This can help slow or stop the growth of cancer.

How is floxuridine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • FUDR

Dosage forms and strengths

Floxuridine is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store floxuridine?

Floxuridine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of floxuridine?

The most common side effects of floxuridine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea and vomiting (see below)
  • Diarrhea (see below)
  • Inflammation (swelling) of the small intestine
  • Mouth sores (see below)
  • Skin irritation, redness, or discoloration where the medicine is injected
  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Changes in liver function tests

There may be other side effects of floxuridine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of floxuridine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of floxuridine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Floxuridine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heart Attack. Floxuridine may rarely increase your risk of reduced blood flow to the heart (also called myocardial ischemia), which could lead to a heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness

Mouth or Throat Sores. Floxuridine can cause sores in the mouth and throat. If this happens, your health care provider may need to stop the medicine. They will monitor you closely for signs of these side effects. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any mouth sores or have any bothersome symptoms in your mouth.

Blood Disorders. Floxuridine can cause blood disorders, such as low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia) and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia). It is important to go to all appointments for blood work to make sure floxuridine is safe for you. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Severe Vomiting. Vomiting is common with floxuridine, and it can sometimes be severe. If you are prescribed medicine to prevent or treat vomiting, take it exactly as your health care provider tells you. Call your health care provider right away if you have vomiting that is severe, does not get better with medicine, or does not go away.

Severe Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with floxuridine, and it can sometimes be severe. If you are given medicine to prevent or treat diarrhea, take it exactly as your health care provider tells you. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following.

  • Severe diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Diarrhea with weakness, dizziness, or fever

Severe Bleeding. Floxuridine can increase your risk of severe bleeding that can lead to death. Some people with serious bleeding may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following signs of severe bleeding while using floxuridine.

  • Pink, red, or brown urine (pee)
  • Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds
  • Red or black stools (looks like tar)
  • Coughing up blood or blood clots

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use floxuridine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use floxuridine.

  • Floxuridine
  • FUDR
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific floxuridine products they stock.

Poor Nutrition. If you are not able to eat enough or do not have enough nutrients in your body, you should not use floxuridine.

Weak Immune System or Infection. If you have a weak immune system (you are immunocompromised) or you have a serious infection, you should not use floxuridine. Talk with your health care provider if you take or have taken any medicine that weakens your immune system.

What should I know about floxuridine before using it?

Floxuridine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will likely be hospitalized for your first treatment with floxuridine so your health care provider can monitor you closely during and after your dose of the medicine.

It is important to attend all appointments for blood work with your health care provider. They will use these tests to monitor your body’s response to floxuridine and make sure it is safe for you to continue using the medicine.

Hair loss may happen while using floxuridine, but usually your hair will grow back when you stop using the medicine.

What should I tell my health care provider before using floxuridine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if floxuridine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • An infection or have had any serious infections in the past
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Prior or planned radiation treatment to the hip area (pelvis)
  • Prior cancer

Pregnancy. Floxuridine may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using floxuridine. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if floxuridine passes into breast milk. You should not use floxuridine while breastfeeding. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Vaccines. Talk with your health care provider about any vaccines that you may need. You may not be able to receive certain vaccines right before or while using floxuridine. Tell your health care provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Interactions

Does floxuridine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between floxuridine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect floxuridine, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer. Both floxuridine and alcohol can also increase your risk of bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does floxuridine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Floxuridine may interact with certain medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any medicine that may cause or worsen blood disorders or a medicine that can weaken your immune system before using floxuridine. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with floxuridine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much floxuridine?

If you or someone else has used too much floxuridine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of floxuridine?

Floxuridine is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving floxuridine as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your floxuridine dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.