Fluorouracil
side effects, nutrient depletions, herbal interactions and health notes:
Data provided by Applied Health
• Animal studies indicate that vitamin A may enhance antitumor effect of 5-Fluorouracil.1
• Supplementation with vitamin A might enhance the therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU. However, individuals being treated with 5-Fluorouracil should consult their prescribing physician and/or a nutritionally trained healthcare professional before starting such a program of supplementation. High doses of vitamin A can be toxic. Women who could become pregnant should avoid dosages over 10,000 IU (3,000 mcg) per day of vitamin A because it can cause birth defects; though the 5-FU itself presents significant risks for causing birth defects. Generally, dosages up to 25,000 IU (7,500 mcg) of vitamin A per day are considered safe for postmenopausal women and males2
• 5-Fluorouracil inhibits the conversion of thiamine to thiamine pyrophosphate3
• Thiamine supplementation might counteract some of the adverse effects of taking 5-FU and prevent thiamine depletion. Thiamine is essentially non-toxic and the dosages in the range of 20-25 mg per day, as found in most multivitamin formulas, are probably significant enough to prevent depletion. However, individuals being treated with 5-Fluorouracil should consult their prescribing physician and/or a nutritionally trained healthcare professional before starting such a program of supplementation.4
• Taguchi and other researchers have found that patients suffering from advanced or recurrent, stomach and colo-rectal cancer who were administered lentinan intravenously in combination with mitomycine C + 5-FU (MF) or tegafur (FT) demonstrated statistically significance improvement in life span prolongation as compare to those who were treated with MF or FT alone. These researchers also noted that improvement of host immune responses was observed in the group treated with lentinan, and hematological survey showed that incidence rate of abnormal value was significantly low in LNT treated group. Similar research suggests that lentinan may also be effective for the patients with advanced or recurrent breast cancer as an agent for supportive therapy.5
References1 Nakagawa, M, et al. Jpn J Cancer Res 1985 Sep;76(9):887-894
1 Aksoy M, et al. Thiamin status of patients treated with drug combinations containing 5-fluorouracil. Eur J Cancer. 1980 Aug;16(8):1041-1045.
1 Basu TK, Dickerson JW, Raven RW, Williams DC. The thiamine status of patients with cancer as determined by the red cell transketolase activity. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1974;44(1):53-58.
1 Basu TK. Vitamins - cytotoxic drug interaction. Int J Vitam Nutr Res Suppl. 1983;24:225-233.
1 Labriola D, Livingston R. Possible interactions between dietary antioxidants and chemotherapy. Oncology (Huntingt). 1999 Jul;13(7):1003-1008; discussion 1008, 1011-1012.
1 Nakagawa M, Yamaguchi T, Ueda H, Shiraishi N, Komiyama S, Akiyama S, Ogata J, Kuwano M. Potentiation by vitamin A of the action of anticancer agents against murine tumors. Jpn J Cancer Res 1985 Sep;76(9):887-894.
1 Taguchi T. [Lentinan]. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1986 Oct;13(11):3294-3304. [Article in Japanese]
1 Taguchi T, Furue H, Kimura T, Kondo T, Hattori T, Itoh I, Ogawa N. [Results of phase III study of lentinan]. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1985 Feb;12(2):366-78. [Article in Japanese]
1 Taguchi T. [Effects of lentinan in advanced or recurrent cases of gastric, colorectal, and breast cancer]. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1983 Feb;10(2 Pt 2):387-393. [Article in Japanese]
2 N/A
3 Basu TK, et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1974;44(1):53-58; Aksoy M, et al. Eur J Cancer. 1980 Aug;16(8):1041-1045; Basu TK. Int J Vitam Nutr Res Suppl. 1983;24:225-233
4 N/A
5 Taguchi T. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1983 Feb;10(2 Pt 2):387-393
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Disclaimers
The information in Drug Watch is provided as a courtesy to NewsTarget readers by Applied Health Solutions in cooperation with Healthway Solutions. Although the information is presented with scientific references, we do not wish to imply that this represents a comprehensive list of considerations about any specific drug, herb or nutrient. Nor should this information be considered a substitute for the advice of your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare practitioner. Please read the disclaimer about the intentions and limitations of the information provided on these pages. It is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other drugs and nutritional supplements that you are taking if they are recommending a new medication. Copyright © 2007 by Applied Health Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
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