Like all chemotherapy drugs, 5-FU has potential side effects. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores. Patients may also experience myelosuppression, a condition where bone marrow activity is decreased, leading to lower levels of blood cells. Other possible side effects include hand-foot syndrome, where the skin on the hands and feet becomes red and painful, as well as hair loss and increased susceptibility to infections.
