FLUOROURACIL CREAM, 0.5%

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc.

Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% Adverse Reactions: High Serious Event Rate

122,970 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About FLUOROURACIL CREAM, 0.5%

FLUOROURACIL CREAM, 0.5% is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc.. Based on analysis of 122,970 FDA adverse event reports, FLUOROURACIL CREAM, 0.5% has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for FLUOROURACIL CREAM, 0.5% include DIARRHOEA, NEUTROPENIA, NAUSEA, VOMITING, OFF LABEL USE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for FLUOROURACIL CREAM, 0.5%.

AI Safety Analysis

Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 122,970 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Dr. Reddy'S Laboratories Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Diarrhoea, Neutropenia, Nausea. Of classified reports, 94.9% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. High incidence of serious adverse events such as death, sepsis, and pulmonary embolism.

Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are common, indicating potential hematological toxicity. Significant gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and nausea are frequently reported.

Patients taking Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Fluorouracil cream, 0.5% can cause severe hematological and gastrointestinal side effects. It is contraindicated in patients with severe liver or kidney dysfunction. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 94.9% serious event ratio across 72,439 classified reports. The score accounts for 122,970 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DIARRHOEA6,625 reports
NEUTROPENIA4,984 reports
NAUSEA4,689 reports
VOMITING3,786 reports
OFF LABEL USE3,277 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION3,136 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL3,104 reports
PYREXIA2,927 reports
FATIGUE2,899 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA2,845 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA2,780 reports
ASTHENIA2,463 reports
ANAEMIA2,422 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE2,102 reports
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION2,026 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,943 reports
DEATH1,937 reports
DYSPNOEA1,934 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,836 reports
MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION1,764 reports
DEHYDRATION1,660 reports
LEUKOPENIA1,558 reports
STOMATITIS1,493 reports
RASH1,442 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION1,382 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM1,364 reports
SEPSIS1,345 reports
PNEUMONIA1,197 reports
MYELOSUPPRESSION1,175 reports
HYPERTENSION1,172 reports
MALAISE1,157 reports
HYPOTENSION1,134 reports
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE1,120 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,115 reports
NEUTROPHIL COUNT DECREASED1,088 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED1,080 reports
PAIN1,056 reports
HYPOKALAEMIA1,018 reports
PARAESTHESIA996 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED996 reports
NEOPLASM PROGRESSION969 reports
CONSTIPATION927 reports
PALMAR PLANTAR ERYTHRODYSAESTHESIA SYNDROME927 reports
CHEST PAIN901 reports
NEUROTOXICITY898 reports
METASTASES TO LIVER891 reports
DIZZINESS889 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION888 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED879 reports
CHILLS878 reports
ERYTHEMA872 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS868 reports
ALOPECIA843 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED801 reports
RENAL FAILURE755 reports
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS749 reports
PANCYTOPENIA747 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED733 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY732 reports
SKIN TOXICITY728 reports
HEADACHE712 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK709 reports
INFECTION676 reports
DERMATITIS ACNEIFORM664 reports
PRURITUS652 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE625 reports
BONE MARROW FAILURE618 reports
DYSPHAGIA616 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION613 reports
THERAPY PARTIAL RESPONDER611 reports
COUGH604 reports
EPISTAXIS599 reports
HYPOMAGNESAEMIA594 reports
TACHYCARDIA589 reports
POLYNEUROPATHY585 reports
BACK PAIN579 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION565 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT565 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA563 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE539 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER537 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED533 reports
METASTASES TO LUNG529 reports
ASCITES527 reports
ARTERIOSPASM CORONARY524 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION520 reports
INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION513 reports
COLORECTAL CANCER METASTATIC510 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL507 reports
FALL500 reports
PROTEINURIA493 reports
CARDIOTOXICITY483 reports
HAEMATOTOXICITY478 reports
COLITIS477 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION476 reports
SYNCOPE452 reports
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED446 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE442 reports
ARTHRALGIA422 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA421 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High rate of serious adverse events (94.9%)
  • Multiple hematological and gastrointestinal reactions
  • Significant number of reports involving death and sepsis

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 33,943, Female: 27,968, Unknown: 816. The most frequently reported age groups are age 65 (1,833 reports), age 67 (1,832 reports), age 68 (1,783 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 72,439 classified reports for FLUOROURACIL CREAM, 0.5%:

  • Serious: 68,777 reports (94.9%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 3,662 reports (5.1%)
Serious 94.9%Non-Serious 5.1%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male33,943 (54.1%)
Female27,968 (44.6%)
Unknown816 (1.3%)

Reports by Age

Age 651,833 reports
Age 671,832 reports
Age 681,783 reports
Age 701,774 reports
Age 621,743 reports
Age 601,690 reports
Age 691,646 reports
Age 661,645 reports
Age 641,624 reports
Age 721,623 reports
Age 631,543 reports
Age 591,503 reports
Age 711,483 reports
Age 611,479 reports
Age 731,479 reports
Age 581,447 reports
Age 571,351 reports
Age 741,321 reports
Age 751,289 reports
Age 561,262 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Fluorouracil cream, 0.5% can cause severe hematological and gastrointestinal side effects. It is contraindicated in patients with severe liver or kidney dysfunction.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include diarrhoea, neutropenia, nausea, vomiting, off label use. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Follow prescribed usage strictly and report any unusual symptoms to a healthcare provider immediately. Avoid use in patients with pre-existing liver or kidney conditions. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors adverse events for Fluorouracil cream, 0.5%, and regulatory actions may be taken based on ongoing safety assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

The FDA has received approximately 122,970 adverse event reports associated with Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% include Diarrhoea, Neutropenia, Nausea, Vomiting, Off Label Use. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Diarrhoea (6,625 reports), Neutropenia (4,984 reports), Nausea (4,689 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%.

What percentage of Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 72,439 classified reports, 68,777 (94.9%) were classified as serious and 3,662 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 33,943, Female: 27,968, Unknown: 816. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

The most frequently reported age groups for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% adverse events are: age 65: 1,833 reports, age 67: 1,832 reports, age 68: 1,783 reports, age 70: 1,774 reports, age 62: 1,743 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

The primary manufacturer associated with Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% adverse event reports is Dr. Reddy'S Laboratories Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% include: Disease Progression, Neuropathy Peripheral, Pyrexia, Fatigue, Thrombocytopenia. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

You can report adverse events from Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%'s safety score and what does it mean?

Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. High incidence of serious adverse events such as death, sepsis, and pulmonary embolism.

What are the key safety signals for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

Key safety signals identified in Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%'s adverse event data include: High rate of serious adverse events (94.9%). Multiple hematological and gastrointestinal reactions. Significant number of reports involving death and sepsis. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% interact with other drugs?

Fluorouracil cream, 0.5% can cause severe hematological and gastrointestinal side effects. It is contraindicated in patients with severe liver or kidney dysfunction. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%.

What should patients know before taking Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

Follow prescribed usage strictly and report any unusual symptoms to a healthcare provider immediately. Avoid use in patients with pre-existing liver or kidney conditions.

Are Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% side effects well-documented?

Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% has 122,970 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are common, indicating potential hematological toxicity. The volume of reports for Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5% reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Fluorouracil Cream, 0.5%?

The FDA closely monitors adverse events for Fluorouracil cream, 0.5%, and regulatory actions may be taken based on ongoing safety assessments. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Other Drugs by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc.

Explore other medications manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc. and compare their safety profiles:

CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS (85/100)LEVETIRACETAM INJECTION (85/100)

View all Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc. drugs →

Related Drugs

Drugs related to FLUOROURACIL CREAM, 0.5% based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

LevofloxacinCiprofloxacinAmoxicillin
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.