Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Ancobon, 5-FC, 5-fluorocytosine
- Antifungals, Systemic;
Description
Fluorinated pyrimidine antifungal agent; structurally similar to fluorouracil and floxuridine; used mainly in combination with amphotericin B for cryptococcal meningitis; use has decreased due to availability of new antifungals.
Indications
Other Indications & Uses
Off-label: chromomycosis
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Patients with known complete dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency
Adverse Effects
- Confusion
- Headache
- Hallucinations
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Psychosis
- Parkinsonism
- Ataxia
- Sedation
- Rash
- Photosensitivity
- Pruritus
- Urticaria
- Temporary growth failure
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypokalemia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Bone marrow suppression
- Anemia
- Leukopenia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Hepatitis
- Azotemia
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Paresthesia
- Weakness
Warnings
Measurement of serum creatinine levels should be determined by Jaffé reaction since this drug does not interfere with determination of creatinine values by this method; most automated equipment for measurement of creatinine makes use of the Jaffé reaction
Electrolytes (because of hypokalemia), hematologic, and renal status of the patient should be determined before therapy instituted; close monitoring of patient during therapy is essential.
Use extreme caution in patients with impaired renal function; monitor blood concentrations and kidney function in renal impairment; drug can progressively accumulate; dosage adjustments should be made in patients with renal insufficiency to prevent progressive accumulation of active drug
Pregnancy and Lactation
Not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk; because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother
Maximum Dosage
150 mg/kg/day PO.
150 mg/kg/day PO.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses of 150 mg/kg/day PO have been used off-label.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses of 150 mg/kg/day PO have been used off-label.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses of 150 mg/kg/day PO have been used off-label.
Safety and efficacy have not been established. Doses up to 150 mg/kg/day PO are the most commonly reported maximum doses; however, up to 200 mg/kg/day PO has been used.
How supplied
Flucytosine
capsule
- 250mg
- 500mg
