Flucytosine

Products

Flucytosine is commercially available as an infusion solution (Ancotil). Although it would also be available orally, in many countries only drugs for parenteral administration are available.

Structure and properties

Flucytosine (C4H4FN3O, Mr = 129.1 g/mol) is a nucleoside analog of the pyrimidine base cytosine.

Effects

Flucytosine (ATC D01AE21, ATC J02AX01) has antifungal (fungistatic) properties. When fungi are in contact with the active ingredient for a long time, fungicidal activity is also present in some cases.

Mechanism of action

Flucytosine is reduced in the fungal cell to 5-fluorouracil, which is incorporated into the RNA as a false building block, inhibiting cell growth.

Indications

  • Generalized candidamycosis
  • Cryptococcosis
  • Chromoblastomycosis
  • Aspergillosis (only in combination with amphotericin B).