Sign Out
Signs and symptoms: The possibility of overdosage with fluorouracil is unlikely in view of the mode of administration. High dosages or prolonged treatment with fluorouracil can result in life-threatening intoxication symptoms; the anticipated manifestations would be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal ulcers and hemorrhage and myelosuppression (include thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and granulocytopenia).
Treatment: Uridine triacetate is a specific antidote for the treatment of 5-fluorouracil overdose or the treatment of severe early-onset toxicities. It should be administered within 96 hours after end of 5-fluorouracil infusion. In the event uridine triacetate is not available, treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Patients who have been exposed to an overdose of fluorouracil should be monitored haematologically for at least 4 weeks. Should abnormalities appear, appropriate therapy should be utilised.
