Be Alert for Severe, Early-Onset Toxicities From 5-Fluorouracil and Capecitabine

Although 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine (the oral prodrug of 5-FU) are generally well tolerated, patients can experience severe toxicities from either drug that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Of the 275,000 patients who receive 5-FU each year, more than 1,300 die from 5-FU toxicity, or approximately 3–4 patients per day.

In their article in the December 2018 issue of the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, Brutcher et al. described how toxicities can occur with 5-FU or capecitabine; the red flags that oncology nurses, patients, and caregivers should watch for; and supportive care and treatment strategies.