The U.S. FDA-approved Trifluridine and Tipiracil to treat adults with colon and rectum cancers on September 22, 2015. 

It is used to treat adults with colon and rectum cancer when it reaches the metastases stage (cancer has spread to other parts of the body) and when other treatments are unsuitable. 

Take Trifluridine and Tipiracil as advised by your physician. Usually, this medicine will be taken as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking Trifluridine and Tipiracil if your doctor advises you to stop.

The most common side effects of Trifluridine and Tipiracil are lack of appetite, nausea, hair loss, weight loss, changes in taste, constipation, swelling in hands or feet or mucous membranes, mouth pain, itchy, dry skin, a lower level of albumin, increased bilirubin, increase liver enzymes. 

Some serious side while taking Trifluidine and Tipiracil are low white blood cell count (fever, chills), anemia (shortness of breath, tiredness), diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual bleeding or bruising, and severe gastrointestinal problem. 

Trifluridine and Tipiracil should not be taken by individuals who are allergic to any of its components. It should also be avoided by individuals with severely decreased bone marrow function (reduction in blood count), severe infections, or severe renal or hepatic impairment. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding because this medication may cause harm to the unborn baby. If you have a kidney condition, the doctor will discuss dose adjustment with you. Notify your doctor if you have a problem with your kidney or liver and are lactose intolerant. 

This medicine comes in two strengths which are usually given twice a day. Your doctor may take a blood test before each test. Discuss the effective contraception method with your doctor. Consult your doctor for more information. It is unsafe to consume alcohol because it can cause excessive drowsiness. Consult your doctor for more information. Inform your physician if you have liver problems because Trifluridine and Tipiracil should be used cautiously with this condition. Use contraception by both males and females during and after the treatment for six months to avoid getting pregnant. 

Keep Trifluridine & Tipiracil Tablet out of sight and reach of children. Store at room temperature (20°C - 25°C). Do not refrigerate or freeze. Contact your doctor for more concerns. Trifluridine and Tipiracil may interact with other medications, so it is important to inform your doctor of all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking.

1. Les Laboratories Servier, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [Revised on Dec 2020] [Accessed on 25th April 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7309.pdf
2. Taiho Oncology, US Food, and Drug Administration, [Revised on Feb 2019] [ Accessed on 25th April 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/207981s008lbl.pdf
3. Celeste B Burness, Sean T Duggan; Trifluridine/Tipiracil: A Review in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer; Drugs; Published on Sep 2016; Accessed on 03/03/2022; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27568360/

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.