Fluorouracil

Description

DESCRIPTION Fluorouracil Cream, USP 5% is a topical preparation containing the fluorinated pyrimidine 5-fluorouracil, an antineoplastic antimetabolite. Fluorouracil Cream contains 5% fluorouracil in a vanishing cream base consisting of white petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, propylene glycol, polysorbate 60, parabens (methyl and propyl), and purified water. Chemically, fluorouracil is 5-fluoro-2,4(1 H ,3 H )-pyrimidinedione. It is a white to practically white crystalline powder which is sparingly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. One gram of fluorouracil is soluble in 100 mL of propylene glycol. The molecular weight of 5-fluorouracil is 130.08 and the structural formula is: Chemical Structure

What Is Fluorouracil Used For?

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Fluorouracil Cream is recommended for the topical treatment of multiple actinic or solar keratoses. In the 5% strength, it is also useful in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas when conventional methods are impractical, such as with multiple lesions or difficult treatment sites. Safety and efficacy in other indications have not been established. The diagnosis should be established prior to treatment, since this method has not been proven effective in other types of basal cell carcinomas. With isolated, easily accessible basal cell carcinomas, surgery is preferred since success with such lesions is almost 100%. The success rate with Fluorouracil Cream is approximately 93%, based on 113 lesions in 54 patients. Eighty-eight lesions treated with the cream produced 7 failures.

Dosage and Administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION When Fluorouracil Cream is applied to a lesion, a response occurs with the following sequence: erythema, usually followed by vesiculation, desquamation, erosion, and re-epithelialization. Fluorouracil Cream should be applied preferably with a nonmetal applicator or suitable glove. If Fluorouracil Cream is applied with the fingers, the hands should be washed immediately afterward. Actinic or Solar Keratosis Apply cream twice daily in an amount sufficient to cover the lesions. Medication should be continued until the inflammatory response reaches the erosion stage, at which time use of the drug should be terminated. The usual duration of therapy is from 2 to 4 weeks. Complete healing of the lesions may not be evident for 1 to 2 months following cessation of Fluorouracil Cream therapy. Superficial Basal Cell Carcinomas Only the 5% strength is recommended. Apply cream twice daily in an amount sufficient to cover the lesions. Treatment should be continued for at least 3 to 6 weeks. Therapy may be required for as long as 10 to 12 weeks before the lesions are obliterated. As in any neoplastic condition, the patient should be followed for a reasonable period of time to determine if a cure has been obtained.

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

ADVERSE REACTIONS The most frequent adverse reactions to Fluorouracil Cream occur locally and are often related to an extension of the pharmacological activity of the drug. These include burning, crusting, allergic contact dermatitis, pruritus, scarring, rash, soreness, and ulceration. Ulcerations, other local reactions, cases of miscarriage, and a birth defect (ventricular septal defect) have been reported when Fluorouracil Cream was applied to mucous membrane areas. Leukocytosis is the most frequent hematological side effect. Although a causal relationship is remote, other adverse reactions which have been reported infrequently are: Central Nervous System: Emotional upset, insomnia, irritability. Gastrointestinal: Medicinal taste, stomatitis. Hematological: Eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, toxic granulation. Integumentary: Alopecia, blistering, bullous pemphigoid, discomfort, ichthyosis, scaling, suppuration, swelling, telangiectasia, tenderness, urticaria, skin rash. Special Senses: Conjunctival reaction, corneal reaction, lacrimation, nasal irritation. Miscellaneous: Herpes simplex. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS contact Mayne Pharma at 1-844-825-8500 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.FDA.gov/medwatch.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Fluorouracil Cream may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women with either the topical or the parenteral forms of fluorouracil. One birth defect (cleft lip and palate) has been reported in the newborn of a patient using Fluorouracil Cream as recommended. One birth defect (ventricular septal defect) and cases of miscarriage have been reported when Fluorouracil Cream was applied to mucous membrane areas. Multiple birth defects have been reported in a fetus of a patient treated with intravenous fluorouracil. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Fluorouracil Cream. Fluorouracil administered parenterally has been shown to be teratogenic in mice, rats, and hamsters when given at doses equivalent to the usual human intravenous dose; however, the amount of fluorouracil absorbed systemically after topical administration to actinic keratoses is minimal (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). Fluorouracil exhibited maximum teratogenicity when given to mice as single intraperitoneal injections of 10 to 40 mg/kg on Day 10 or 12 of gestation. Similarly, intraperitoneal doses of 12 to 37 mg/kg given to rats between Days 9 and 12 of gestation and intramuscular doses of 3 to 9 mg/kg given to hamsters between Days 8 and 11 of gestation were teratogenic and/or embryotoxic (i.e., resulted in increased resorptions or embryolethality). In monkeys, divided doses of 40 mg/kg given between Days 20 and 24 of gestation were not teratogenic. Doses higher than 40 mg/kg resulted in abortion. Fluorouracil Cream should not be used in patients with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency. A large percentage of fluorouracil is catabolized by the DPD enzyme. DPD enzyme deficiency can result in shunting of fluorouracil to the anabolic pathway, leading to cytotoxic activity and potential toxicities. Fluorouracil Cream is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant...

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy See CONTRAINDICATIONS .

Nursing Mothers It is not known whether Fluorouracil Cream is excreted in human milk. Because there is some systemic absorption of fluorouracil after topical administration (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ), because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue use of the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Overdosage

OVERDOSAGE There have been no reports of overdosage with Fluorouracil Cream. The oral LD 50 for the 5% topical cream was 234 mg/kg in rats and 39 mg/kg in dogs. These doses represented 11.7 and 1.95 mg/kg of fluorouracil, respectively. The topical application of the 5% cream to rats yielded an LD 50 of greater than 500 mg/kg.

How Supplied

HOW SUPPLIED Fluorouracil Cream, USP 5% is available in 40 g tubes containing 5% fluorouracil (NDC 51862-362-40) in a vanishing cream base consisting of white petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, propylene glycol, polysorbate 60, parabens (methyl and propyl), and purified water. Store at 20 - 25°C (68 - 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].