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What Is Folfox Chemo?

Folfox is a combination of three chemicals--folinic acid, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin--that are administered intravenously. Doctors prescribe Folfox as a chemotherapy treatment for bowel cancer.

  1. Function

    • Fluorouracil and oxaliplatin function by preventing cancer cells from replicating or spreading, which causes the cells to eventually die. Folinic acid is a type of vitamin that helps increase the effectiveness of the two cancer-fighting drugs, but does not actively destroy cancer cells on its own.

    Time Frame

    • Folfox chemotherapy is normally given over two days with a 12 day break between each treatment, according to Cancer Research UK. The amount of treatments required vary depending on the stage and type of your bowel cancer and your general health, but the maximum amount of treatments of Folfox given is 12.

    Types

    • Folfox chemotherapy is administered through either a tube inserted into your arm or through a central line that is inserted into your chest. Central line or chest Folfox chemotherapy is sometimes administered on an outpatient basis, while the type given through the arm requires you to be admitted as an inpatient to the hospital in most cases.

    Risks

    • Side effects associated with Folfox chemotherapy include headaches, aching muscles, coughing, painful urination, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, easy bruising, fatigue, numbness or tingling in your extremities, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. You may be more susceptible to bacterial or viral infections during Folfox treatment, and there is also a risk of infertility, nerve damage to your throat and serious allergic reactions, warns Cancer Research UK.

    Solution

    • Medications are available to replace lost fluids and prevent vomiting and diarrhea associated with Folfox chemotherapy. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects, suggests Cancer Research UK.

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