flucytosine
What is the most important information I should know about flucytosine?
 |
Take all of the flucytosine that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. |
Flucytosine may cause nausea and vomiting. You can reduce this side effect by taking the capsules a few at a time over a 15-minute period.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking flucytosine?
Before taking flucytosine, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease,
- have a blood or bone marrow disease, or
- are being treated with radiation or a drug that causes bone marrow suppression.
You may not be able to take flucytosine or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
 |
Flucytosine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether flucytosine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
 |
It is not known whether flucytosine passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
How should I take flucytosine?
Take flucytosine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
 |
Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. |
Flucytosine may cause nausea and vomiting. You can reduce this side effect by taking the capsules a few at a time over a 15-minute period. Notify your doctor if nausea and vomiting become unbearable.
|
Take all of the flucytosine that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. |
It is important to take flucytosine regularly to get the most benefit.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with flucytosine to monitor progress and side effects.
 |
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
What happens if I overdose?
 |
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
Symptoms of a flucytosine overdose are not well known but might include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
What are the possible side effects of flucytosine?
|
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking flucytosine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: |
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- chest pain;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- little or no urine;
- confusion or hallucinations;
- numbness or tingling; or
- hearing loss.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take flucytosine and talk to your doctor if you experience
- nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, or diarrhea;
- a dry mouth;
- headache;
- sedation; or
- weakness or poor coordination.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2012 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.07. Revision date: 12/15/2010.
Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.