Fluorouracil Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 14, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 50 mg/mL

Usual Adult Dose for:

Colorectal Cancer
Breast Cancer
Stomach Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer

Additional dosage information:

Renal Dose Adjustments
Liver Dose Adjustments
Dose Adjustments
Precautions
Dialysis
Other Comments

Usual Adult Dose for Colorectal Cancer

IN COMBINATION WITH LEUCOVORIN, OR IN COMBINATION WITH LEUCOVORIN AND OXALIPLATIN OR IRINOTECAN:
400 mg/m2 by IV bolus on Day 1, followed by 2400 to 3000 mg/m2 as a continuous IV infusion over 46 hours every 2 weeks

WHEN ADMINISTERED IN A BOLUS DOSING REGIMEN IN COMBINATION WITH LEUCOVORIN:
500 mg/m2 by IV bolus on Days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36 in 8-week cycles

Use: Adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer

ADMINISTERED AS A COMPONENT OF A CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE-BASED MULTIDRUG REGIMEN:
500 or 600 mg/m2 IV on Days 1 and 8 every 28 days for 6 cycles

Use: Adenocarcinoma of the breast

Usual Adult Dose for Stomach Cancer

ADMINISTERED AS A COMPONENT OF A PLATINUM-CONTAINING MULTIDRUG CHEMOTHERAPY REGIMEN:
200 to 1000 mg/m2 IV as a continuous infusion over 24 hours; the frequency of dosing in each cycle and the length of each cycle will depend on the dose of fluorouracil and the specific regimen administered

Use: Gastric adenocarcinoma

Usual Adult Dose for Pancreatic Cancer

ADMINISTERED IN COMBINATION WITH LEUCOVORIN OR AS A COMPONENT OF A MULTIDRUG CHEMOTHERAPY REGIMEN THAT INCLUDES LEUCOVORIN:
400 mg/m2 by IV bolus on Day 1, followed by 2400 mg/m2 IV as a continuous infusion over 46 hours every 2 weeks

Use: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Dose Adjustments

Withhold therapy for the following:

Angina, myocardial infarction/ischemia, arrhythmia, or heart failure in patients with no history of coronary artery disease or myocardial dysfunction
Hyperammonemic encephalopathy
Acute cerebellar syndrome, confusion, disorientation, ataxia, or visual disturbances
Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea
Grade 2 or 3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (hand-foot syndrome)
Grade 3 or 4 mucositis
Grade 4 myelosuppression

Upon resolution or improvement to Grade 1 diarrhea, mucositis, myelosuppression, or palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, resume administration at a reduced dose.

There is no recommended dose for resumption of therapy if any of the following adverse reactions occur:

Cardiac toxicity
Hyperammonemic encephalopathy
Acute cerebellar syndrome, confusion, disorientation, ataxia, or visual disturbances

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

None

This drug is not recommended for use in children.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

This drug is recommended for administration either as an IV bolus or as an IV infusion.
Do not inject the entire contents of the vial directly into patients.
Individualize the dose and dosing schedule based on tumor type, the specific regimen administered, disease state, response to treatment, and patient risk factors.

General:

All dosages are based on patient's actual body weight; however, the estimated lean body weight is used if the patient is obese or if there has been a spurious weight gain due to ascites or other forms of abnormal fluid retention.
Use is contraindicated in patients who are in a poor nutritional status, have depressed bone marrow function, and those with potentially serious infections.
This drug is highly toxic with a narrow margin of safety.
It is recommended that patients be hospitalized during treatment.
This drug is irritating to the skin; avoid contact with the skin and mucous membranes.

It is recommended that patients be hospitalized during treatment.
This drug is irritating to the skin; avoid contact with the skin and mucous membranes.