The World Health Organization's ATC classification organizes medical drugs based on therapeutic properties, chemical composition, and anatomy. It helps make essential medicines readily available globally and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.
| Level | Code | Title | |
|---|---|---|---|
1
|
L | Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents | |
2
|
L01 | Antineoplastic agents | |
3
|
L01B | Antimetabolites | |
4
|
L01BC | Pyrimidine analogues | |
5
|
L01BC02 | Fluorouracil |
| Active Ingredient |
|---|
|
Fluorouracil is an antineoplastic anti-metabolite. Anti-metabolites masquerade as purine or pyrimidine – which become the building blocks of DNA. They prevent these substances from becoming incorporated into DNA during the “S” phase (of the cell cycle), stopping normal development and division. Fluorouracil blocks an enzyme which converts the cytosine nucleotide into the deoxy derivative. In addition, DNA synthesis is further inhibited because Fluorouracil blocks the incorporation of the thymidine nucleotide into the DNA strand. Fluorouracil is used for the topical treatment of multiple actinic or solar keratoses. In the 5% strength it is also useful in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas when conventional methods are impractical, such as with multiple lesions or difficult treatment sites. Fluorouracil injection is indicated in the palliative management of some types of cancer, including colon, esophageal, gastric, rectum, breast, biliary tract, stomach, head and neck, cervical, pancreas, renal cell, and carcinoid. |
| Document | Type | Information Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFUDEX Topical solution / Cream | MPI, US: SPL/Old | FDA, National Drug Code (US) | |
| EFUDIX Cream | MPI, EU: SmPC | Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) | |
| TOLAK Cream | MPI, US: SPL/PLR | FDA, National Drug Code (US) |
Note the following: The list of brand names is continuously updated, and thus does not include the total of products circulating worldwide.