Tegafur-Uracil Tablets are an anticancer medication used in the treatment of certain types of cancers, especially gastrointestinal cancers. They are a type of oral chemotherapy.

Here are the key details:

• Main Uses:

  • Treatment of colorectal cancer (often as part of combination therapy).

  • Sometimes used in gastric cancer and other solid tumors, depending on medical advice.

  • Prescribed for patients who require oral chemotherapy instead of intravenous forms.

• How It Works:

  • Tegafur is a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapy drug. After ingestion, it converts into 5-FU in the body.

  • Uracil is combined with Tegafur to enhance the anticancer effect by preventing rapid breakdown of 5-FU, allowing it to act longer against cancer cells.

  • 5-FU works by blocking DNA and RNA synthesis, which stops cancer cells from dividing and growing.

• Administration:

  • Taken orally, usually 1–2 times daily, as prescribed.

  • Often given in treatment cycles (periods of taking the drug followed by rest days).

  • Swallow tablets whole with water, with or without food, depending on doctor’s instructions.

• Common Side Effects:

  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.

  • Diarrhea or abdominal discomfort.

  • Fatigue or weakness.

  • Mild mouth sores.

  • Hair thinning (not usually severe).

• Serious Concerns:

  • Low blood counts (anemia, increased infection risk, easy bleeding/bruising).

  • Severe diarrhea or dehydration.

  • Liver function changes.

  • Rare but serious heart or neurological effects in sensitive patients.

• Precautions:

  • Requires regular blood tests to monitor white cells, red cells, and platelets.

  • Inform your doctor about liver or kidney problems.

  • Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

  • Use caution with other drugs that affect the immune system or bone marrow.

  • Report severe diarrhea, persistent fever, or unusual bleeding immediately.

• Storage: Keep at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Store safely away from children due to toxicity.

👉 Tegafur-Uracil Tablets provide a way to take 5-FU chemotherapy orally, making treatment more convenient, but they require strict monitoring of blood counts, side effects, and organ function.