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Optic neuritis induced by 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy: Case report and review of the literature.

Anant J RainaPeter Jeffrey GilbarGuranjan D GrewalDavid J Holcombe
Published in: Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (2019)
Atypical optic neuritis is an inflammatory optic neuropathy that can be caused by ischaemia, mechanical compression, nutritional deficiency, toxins and drugs. Drug-induced optic neuritis, while rare, is associated with cytotoxic medications including methotrexate, cisplatin, carboplatin, vincristine and paclitaxel. There have only been five previous case reports implicating 5-Fluorouracil in the development of optic neuropathy. The likelihood of the adverse drug reaction due to 5-Fluorouracil was assessed using the Naranjo algorithm. A score of +7 indicates probable causality. Clinicians should be alert to this potential ocular toxicity in order to initiate prompt cessation of treatment and early ophthalmology referral to prevent visual loss and damage to ocular structures.
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