Fluorouracil

Overview

4.6 out of 5 (17 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post Assessment Questions

6

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

16 Feb 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


 
Need Help?  If you have a system or content concerns, please contact support@statpearls.com

Activity Description

Fluorouracil, also known as 5-fluorouracil or 5-FU, belongs to the class of chemotherapy drugs used to treat various neoplasms. Systemic fluorouracil is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, breast adenocarcinoma, and colorectal adenocarcinoma. In addition, topical fluorouracil (5%) is FDA-approved for managing dermatologic conditions such as multiple actinic or solar keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinomas in cases where alternative methods are not feasible. Off-label uses of systemic fluorouracil include anal carcinoma, advanced biliary tract carcinoma, cervical cancer, and esophageal cancer.

Upon ingestion or topical application, fluorouracil enters cells through a facilitated transport mechanism and undergoes conversion into fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP). FdUMP then forms complexes with the enzyme thymidylate synthase, thereby inhibiting the production of deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP). As dTMP is crucial for DNA replication and repair, its depletion causes an imbalance in intracellular nucleotides, ultimately resulting in the generation of double-stranded DNA breaks facilitated by the enzyme endonuclease. This activity outlines the indications, mechanism of action, and contraindications of fluorouracil as a valuable agent for treating a spectrum of visceral and dermatologic malignancies. This activity particularly emphasizes the adverse event profile and other significant factors of fluorouracil, such as off-label uses, highlighting the crucial and collaborative efforts of the interprofessional healthcare team in the management of various malignancies.


UAN: JA4008338-0000-23-1881-H01-P

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify appropriate patient populations for fluorouracil therapy based on indications approved by the FDA.

  • Implement proper dosage adjustments and administration techniques for fluorouracil based on individual patient factors.

  • Apply evidence-based guidelines and clinical protocols to guide decision-making regarding the use of fluorouracil in various neoplastic conditions.

  • Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare team members to optimize patient care and safety during fluorouracil treatment.

Pharmacy Activity Type:
Disease/Drug Therapy Related


Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Pharmacists: StatPearls, LLC designates this activity for a maximum of 1.50 ACPE credit(s). (UAN: JA4008338-0000-23-1881-H01-P ). Pharmacists should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

john e. on 3/23/2022

Diane L. on 6/2/2022

Christy M. on 6/14/2022

Shannon j. on 7/26/2022

Li Mei L. on 1/3/2023

Anne R. on 1/12/2023

on 2/13/2023

Jamie K. on 4/23/2023

Jane C. on 7/10/2023

Van J. on 8/23/2023

barbara h. on 9/17/2023

Linda G. on 12/16/2023

Great review.

Richard P. on 12/24/2023

James T. on 12/26/2023

Martin B. on 12/28/2023

Sam A. on 3/9/2024

douglas t. on 3/19/2024

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