Health Centres - Uftoral
How does it work?
Uftoral capsules contain two active ingredients, tegafur and uracil. Tegafur is an oral form of the anti-cancer medicine, 5-fluorouracil. Once in the body, tegafur is converted into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which is a type of anti-cancer medicine known as a 'cytotoxic antimetabolite'.
Cancers form when cells within the body multiply abnormally and uncontrollably. These cells spread, destroying nearby tissues. 5-FU works by stopping the cancer cells from multiplying. It does this by inhibiting the production of the cells' genetic material, DNA and RNA. Both DNA and RNA are needed for growth and multiplication of cells. 5-FU causes a deficiency of DNA and RNA in the cancer cells, and this causes the cells to grow in an unbalanced way, resulting in the death of the cells.
5-FU can also affect normal, healthy cells, particularly those that multiply quickly, such as blood cells. The most important side effect is on the bone marrow where blood cells are made. 5-FU can decrease the production of blood cells, leaving people susceptible to infection. Regular blood tests are therefore needed to monitor levels of blood cells.
Uracil is a medicine that slows the breakdown of 5-FU by the body, which allows the 5-FU to act against the cancer cells for longer.
Uftoral is used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in combination with another medicine called calcium folinate (folinic acid). This medicine boosts the effectiveness of the 5-FU.
What is it used for?
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Cancer of the large bowel and rectum that has spread to other parts of the body in combination with calcium folinate
Warning!
- It is important that you carefully follow the instructions you have been given with this medicine.
- This medicine can occasionally cause confusion, so care should be taken when driving.
- Chemotherapy medicines can decrease the number of blood cells in your blood. A low white blood cell count can increase your susceptibility to infections; a low red blood cell count causes anaemia and a low platelet count can cause problems with blood clotting. For this reason, you will need regular blood tests to monitor your blood cells during treatment with this medicine. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms during your treatment, as they may indicate problems with your blood cells: unexplained bruising or bleeding, purple spots, sore mouth or throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever) or other signs of infection, or suddenly feeling tired, breathless, or generally unwell.
- If you have any problems with your liver, your liver function should also be monitored during treatment with this medicine. Symptoms that may suggest a liver problem include persistent nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, or the development of jaundice (a yellow colouring to the skin and the whites of the eyes). All people taking this medicine should tell their doctor if they experience any of these symptoms.
- Your ability to become pregnant or father a child may be affected by treatment with this medicine. It is important to discuss fertility with your doctor before starting treatment.
Use with caution in
- Elderly people
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Deficiency of an enzyme in the body called dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD)
- History of heart disease
- People with symptoms of a blockage in the bowel
- Severe diarrhoea
Not to be used in
- Allergy to 5-FU
- Children and adolescents
- Severely decreased liver function
- People with low levels of red or white blood cells or platelets due to previous radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment
- Deficiency of a compound in the liver called cytochrome P450 2A6
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Pregnancy
-
Breastfeeding
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine must not be used in pregnancy as it may be harmful to an unborn baby. Men receiving this medicine should use effective contraception to prevent fathering a child, and women receiving this medicine should use effective contraception to prevent becoming pregnant, both during treatment, and for three months after treatment is finished. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding women because of the potential harm it may cause to nursing infants. Mothers who need to take this medicine should not breastfeed their infants. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- Take this medication an hour before food or on an empty stomach.
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