Folinic acid, Fluorouracil and Irinotecan (FOLFIRI)

Folinic acid, fluorouracil & irinotecan are three chemotherapy medications. These cancer drugs destroy quickly dividing cells, such as cancer cells.

This treatment is very effective for a wide variety of cancers. In today’s day and age, most of the side effects of chemotherapy can be effectively managed by your cancer team, making this tried and trusted treatment combination very useful.

Depending on the context, folinic acid, fluorouracil & irinotecan can be used for:

  • colon cancer
  • rectal cancer
  • gastric cancer

Usually, folinic acid (Leucovorin) is given as an intravenous infusion (I.V.), over two hours before fluorouracil on Day 1. Irinotecan I.V. infusion, usually given over ninety minutes on Day 1. Fluorouracil (5-FU) I.V. push, usually given over 3 to 5 minutes on Day 1.

Each two-day FOLFIRI treatment is repeated every 14 days. This is known as one Cycle. Each cycle may be repeated indefinitely (not ending). Duration of therapy may last many months, or years, depending upon the response, tolerability, and number of cycles prescribed.

Now, let’s learn about the side effects of each of these chemotherapy medications. This will help you maximize the benefits and reduce the risk of harm.

Read more about capecitabine and oxaliplatin here:
Capecitabine
Oxaliplatin

Did you like this content?

Tell us how we can improve this post?


DISCLAIMER: No part of this content constitutes medical advice, opinion, or should be used for medical decision making without consultation with a licenced medical practitioner and under a patient-provider relationship. All information on the website is provided without any claims of accuracy. For full terms and conditions, visit this link. Content curated by the Ankr team.

↑ Back to top