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Fluorouracil
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<p>Fluorouracil (5-FU, 5-fluorouracil), sold under the brand name Adrucil among others, is a <a href="/facts/Cytotoxic/SQuTTLoL">cytotoxic</a> <a href="/facts/Chemotherapy/fWTLbaUT">chemotherapy</a> medication used to treat <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a>. By <a href="/facts/Intravenous_injection/AwwuD3Nu">intravenous injection</a> it is used for treatment of <a href="/facts/Colorectal_cancer/nV592sW7">colorectal cancer</a>, <a href="/facts/Oesophageal_cancer/vN32X3uc">oesophageal cancer</a>, <a href="/facts/Stomach_cancer/HJjYtkqS">stomach cancer</a>, <a href="/facts/Pancreatic_cancer/6h9GIInW">pancreatic cancer</a>, <a href="/facts/Breast_cancer/6hME580v">breast cancer</a>, and <a href="/facts/Cervical_cancer/99vngUyd">cervical cancer</a>. As a cream it is used for <a href="/facts/Actinic_keratosis/TMoVhlkb">actinic keratosis</a>, <a href="/facts/Basal_cell_carcinoma/NLHsYND7">basal cell carcinoma</a>, and skin <a href="/facts/Warts/j16Nwpl7">warts</a>. </p><p>Side effects of use by injection are common. They may include inflammation of the mouth, loss of appetite, <a href="/facts/Cytopenia/FN9gYLPE">low blood cell counts</a>, hair loss, and inflammation of the skin. When used as a cream, irritation at the site of application usually occurs. Use of either form in <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> may harm the fetus. Fluorouracil is in the <a href="/facts/Antimetabolite/NICtB9BU">antimetabolite</a> and <a href="/facts/Pyrimidine_analog/sqlRTu4E">pyrimidine analog</a> families of medications. How it works is not entirely clear, but it is believed to involve blocking the action of <a href="/facts/Thymidylate_synthase/zKtHApFJ">thymidylate synthase</a> and thus stopping the production of <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a>. </p><p>Fluorouracil was patented in 1956 and came into medical use in 1962. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. In 2022, it was the 270th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 900,000 prescriptions. </p>