Flucytosine, a pyrimidine derivative that can only be administered intravenously, is an antimycotic (cytostatic) whose fungistatic and fungicidal effects are due to disorders in protein and DNA synthesis. In contrast to mammalian cells, flucytosine is selectively taken up by fungi via cytosine permease, deaminated and incorporated as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) into the cell RNA, where it acts as a "false base" and induces a misprogrammed protein biosynthesis (cytostatic effect). In addition, DNA synthesis is inhibited because 5-fluorouracil blocks thymidilate synthesis (Liu Y et al. 2018).
Flucytosine
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Half-lifeThis section has been translated automatically.
3–5,3 h
IndicationThis section has been translated automatically.
Severe syst. Infections from Candida or Cryptococcus neoformans.
Limited indicationThis section has been translated automatically.
Dose adjustment for renal insufficiency, pregnancy, lactation.
Dosage and method of useThis section has been translated automatically.
150-200 mg/kg bw/day i.v. in 4 ED.
Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.
Fever, fatigue, anemia, leukopenia, thrombopenia, nausea, diarrhea, allergic skin reactions, photosensitization, liver necrosis (also with fatal outcome).
InteractionsThis section has been translated automatically.
Ganciclovir and zidovudine lead to a mutual increase in toxicity, cytostatic drugs increase the blood formation disorders.
ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.
Flucytosine intolerance, blood formation disorders, liver damage.
PreparationsThis section has been translated automatically.
Ancotil®
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Gerson B (1987)Flucytosines (5-fluorocytosines). Clin Lab Med 7:541-544.
- Liu Y et al (2018) Simultaneous detection of 5-fluorocytosine and 5-fluorouracil in human cells carrying CD/5-FC suicide gene system by using capillary zone electrophoresis. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 1076:1-7.