FOLFIRI stands for three medications that combine to form a chemotherapy regimen used to treat advanced stage colon cancer. These medications are fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan. FOLFIRI chemotherapy is administered through intravenous infusion and takes approximately one to two hours. Side effects from this regimen may be severe because because some patient's bodies are unable to break down irinotecan.
Fluorouracil
The first medication administered in the FOLFIRI regimen is fluorouracil, commonly known as 5-FU. Chemocare.com lists mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, watery eyes, taste changes and low blood counts as common side effects of 5-FU. These side effects occur in more than 30 percent of patients receiving this medication. Less common side effects include skin cracking, redness of palms and soles of the feet, hair thinning and nail bed changes.
Leucovorin
The second chemotherapy drug administered in the FOLFIRI regimen is leucovorin. This folate vitamin increases the toxic effects of 5-FU when they are given together. "The Chemotherapy Source Book" states that leucovorin produces minimal side effects. Mild nausea and vomiting occur in some cases. Rarely allergic reactions to leucovorin occur and include rash, facial flushing, itching or trouble breathing.
Irinotecan
Irinotecan makes up the last medication in the FOLFIRI regimen for colon cancer. The most noted and severe side effect occurring with irinotecan is diarrhea. Chemocare.com and "The Chemotherapy Source Book" report that diarrhea presents within 24 hours of infusion or anytime up to eleven days after treatment. Other common side effects with irinotecan include nausea, vomiting, weakness, and low red/white blood cell counts. Less common side effects include shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, cough, headache, fever, chills, skin rash, gas, mouth sores, heartburn and swelling in the hands and/or feet.
References
- Chemocare.com: Fluorouracil
- American Cancer Society: Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer
- Chemocare.com: Irinotecan
- "The Chemotherapy Source Book"; Michael C. Perry MD.; 2008.
