FLUOROPLEX (fluorouracil)

Drug overview for FLUOROPLEX (fluorouracil):

Generic name: FLUOROURACIL (flewr-oh-YOUR-uh-sill)
Drug class: Actinic Keratoses Agents
Therapeutic class: Dermatological

Fluorouracil, a fluorinated pyrimidine antagonist, acts as an antimetabolite interfering with DNA synthesis.

Fluorouracil is used topically for the treatment of multiple actinic (solar) keratoses; curettage or cryotherapy is preferred for the treatment of isolated lesions. Fluorouracil is also used topically for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma when conventional methods are impractical (e.g., in patients with multiple lesions or difficult treatment sites). Since topical fluorouracil has not been shown to be more effective than other therapies in the treatment of other basal cell carcinomas, the diagnosis should be established before treatment is begun.

When lesions are isolated and easily accessible, conventional techniques (e.g., surgery, curettage and dessication, cryotherapy) are preferred because they have a higher response rate (almost 100% vs approximately 93% with topical fluorouracil). For systemic uses of fluorouracil, see 10:00.