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Drugs A–Z

Trifluridine and Tipiracil

Trifluridine and Tipiracil is a prescription medicine (Nucleoside Analog Antiviral; Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor). The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Brand names
Lonsurf
Drug class
Nucleoside Analog Antiviral; Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor
Taken
Oral
Label
Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., revised November 5, 2025 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
FDA-approved (2 companies) · details

What it is used for

LONSURF is a combination of trifluridine, a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor, and tipiracil, a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: metastatic colorectal cancer as a single agent or in combination with bevacizumab who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF biological therapy, and if RAS wild-type, an anti-EGFR therapy. ( 1.1 ) metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma previously treated with at least two prior lines of chemotherapy that included a fluoropyrimidine, a platinum, either a taxane or irinotecan, and if appropriate, HER2/neu-targeted therapy. ( 1.2 )

1.1 Metastatic Colorectal Cancer LONSURF, as a single agent or in combination with bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF biological therapy, and if RAS wild-type, an anti-EGFR therapy.

1.2 Metastatic Gastric Cancer LONSURF is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma previously treated with at least two prior lines of chemotherapy that included a fluoropyrimidine, a platinum, either a taxane or irinotecan, and if appropriate, HER2/neu-targeted therapy.

Forms and strengths

Tablets: 15 mg trifluridine/6.14 mg tipiracil: white, biconvex, round, film-coated, imprinted with ‘15’ on one side, and ‘102’ and ‘15 mg’ on the other side, in gray ink. 20 mg trifluridine/8.19 mg tipiracil: pale red, biconvex, round, film-coated, imprinted with ‘20’ on one side, and ‘102’ and ‘20 mg’ on the other side, in gray ink. Tablets: 15 mg trifluridine/6.14 mg tipiracil ( 3 ) 20 mg trifluridine/8.19 mg tipiracil ( 3 )

Who should not take it (contraindications)

None. None. ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

Severe Myelosuppression: Obtain complete blood counts prior to and on Day 15 of each cycle. Withhold and resume at next lower LONSURF dosage as recommended. ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.2 , 8.1 , 8.3 )

5.1 Severe Myelosuppression In the 1114 patients who received LONSURF as a single agent, LONSURF caused severe or life-threatening myelosuppression (Grade 3-4) consisting of neutropenia (38%), anemia (17%), thrombocytopenia (4%) and febrile neutropenia (3%). Three patients (0.3%) died due to neutropenic infection/sepsis; four other patients (0.5%) died due to septic shock. A total of 14% of patients received granulocyte-colony stimulating factors. In the 246 patients who received LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab, LONSURF caused severe or life-threatening myelosuppression (Grade 3-4) consisting of neutropenia (52%), anemia (5%), thrombocytopenia (4%) and febrile neutropenia (0.4%). One patient (0.4%) died due to abdominal sepsis and two other patients (0.8%) died due to septic shock. A total of 29% of patients received granulocyte-colony stimulating factors. Obtain complete blood counts prior to and on Day 15 of each cycle of LONSURF and more frequently as clinically indicated. Withhold LONSURF for severe myelosuppression and resume at the next lower dosage [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] .

5.2 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on animal studies and its mechanism of action, LONSURF can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Trifluridine/tipiracil caused embryo-fetal lethality and embryo-fetal toxicity in pregnant rats when orally administered during gestation at dosage levels resulting in exposures lower than those achieved at the recommended dosage of 35 mg/m 2 twice daily. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with LONSURF and for at least 6 months after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] .

Side effects (adverse reactions)

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Severe Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities for single agent LONSURF (≥10%) are neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and pyrexia. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities for LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab (≥20%) are neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, increased AST, increased ALT, increased alkaline phosphatase, decreased sodium, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Taiho Oncology, Inc. at 1-844-878-2446 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section and below reflect exposure to LONSURF at the recommended dose in 533 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in RECOURSE, 246 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with LONSURF as monotherapy in SUNLIGHT and 335 patients with metastatic gastric cancer in TAGS. Among the 1114 patients who received LONSURF as a single agent, 12% were exposed for 6 months or longer and 1% were exposed for 12 months or longer. The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities (≥10%) were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and pyrexia. Among the 246 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab in SUNLIGHT, 39% were exposed for 6 months or longer, and 14% were exposed for 12 months or longer. The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities (≥20%) were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, increased AST, increased ALT, increased alkaline phosphatase, decreased sodium, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. Metastatic Colorectal Cancer LONSURF as a single agent The safety of LONSURF was evaluated in RECOURSE, a randomized (2:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Patients received LONSURF 35 mg/m 2 /dose (n=533) or placebo (n=265) twice daily on Days 1 through 5 and Days 8 through 12 of each 28-day cycle. In RECOURSE, 12% of patients received LONSURF for more than 6 months and 1% of patients received LONSURF for more than 1 year. The study population characteristics were: median age 63 years; 61% male; 57% White, 35% Asian, and 1% Black. The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities (≥10% in incidence) in patients treated with LONSURF at a rate that exceeds the rate in patients receiving placebo were anemia, neutropenia, asthenia/fatigue, nausea, thrombocytopenia, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and pyrexia. In RECOURSE, 3.6% of patients discontinued LONSURF for an adverse reaction and 14% of patients required a dose reduction. The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to dose reduction were neutropenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia, fatigue, and diarrhea. Table 3 and Table 4 list the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities (graded using CTCAE v4.03), respectively, observed in RECOURSE. Table 3: Adverse Reactions (≥5%) in Patients Receiving LONSURF and at a Higher Incidence (>2%) than in Patients Receiving Placebo in RECOURSE Adverse Reactions LONSURF (N=533) Placebo (N=265) All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 No Grade 4 definition for nausea, abdominal pain, or fatigue in National Cancer Institute Common Terminology (%) All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) General Asthenia/fatigue 52 7 35 9 Pyrexia 19 1.3 14

0.4 Gastrointestinal Nausea 48 1.9 24

1.1 Diarrhea 32 3 12

0.4 Vomiting 28 2.1 14

0.4 Abdominal pain 21 2.4 19

3.8 Stomatitis 8 0.4 6 0 Metabolism and nutrition Decreased appetite 39 3.6 29

4.9 Infections Incidence reflects 64 preferred terms in the Infections and Infestations system organ class. 27 7 16

4.9 Nervous system Dysgeusia 7 0 2.3 0 Skin and subcutaneous tissue Alopecia 7 0 1.1 0 Table 4: Select Laboratory Abnormalities in RECOURSE Laboratory Parameter Worst Grade at least one grade higher than baseline, with percentages based on number of patients with post-baseline samples, which may be <533 (LONSURF) or 265 (placebo) LONSURF Placebo All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) Hematologic Anemia One Grade 4 anemia adverse reaction based on clinical criteria was reported 77 18 33 3 Neutropenia 67 38 0.8 0 Thrombocytopenia 42 5 8

0.4 In RECOURSE, pulmonary emboli occurred more frequently in LONSURF-treated patients (2%) compared to no patients on placebo. LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab The safety of LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab was evaluated in SUNLIGHT, an international, randomized, open label study in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. The study population characteristics were: median age 63 years (20 to 90 years); 52% male; 88% White, 1.4% Black, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 9.6% were unknown; and baseline ECOG performance status 0 (46%), 1 (54%), or 2 (0.2%). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were intestinal obstruction (2.8%), and COVID-19 (2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.2% of patients who received LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab, including rectal fistula (0.4%), bowel perforation (0.4%) and atrial fibrillation (0.4%). Permanent treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 13% of patients. The adverse reaction which resulted in permanent treatment discontinuation in ≥2% of patients was fatigue. Dosage reductions due to an adverse reaction or laboratory abnormality occurred in 7% of patients. At least one dose reduction in 3.7% of patients was required for neutropenia. Dosage interruptions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 11% of patients who received LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab. The adverse reaction that required dosage interruption in ≥2% of patients was nausea. The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities (≥20% in incidence) in patients treated with LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, increased aspartate aminotransferase, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased alkaline phosphatase, decreased sodium, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. Table 5 and Table 6 list the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, observed in SUNLIGHT. […]

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

Lactation : Advise not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) Geriatric Use : For LONSURF as a single agent, Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, Grade 3 anemia and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia occurred more commonly in patients 65 years or older. ( 8.5 ) For LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia occurred more commonly in patients 65 years or older. ( 8.5 ) Hepatic Impairment : Do not initiate LONSURF in patients with baseline moderate or severe hepatic impairment. ( 8.7 ) Renal Impairment : Reduce LONSURF dose in patients with severe renal impairment. ( 8.6 )

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on animal data and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] , LONSURF can cause fetal harm. LONSURF caused embryo-fetal lethality and embryo-fetal toxicity in pregnant rats when given during gestation at doses resulting in exposures lower than or similar to human exposures at the recommended clinical dose (see Data ) . There are no available data on LONSURF use in pregnant women. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Trifluridine/tipiracil was administered orally once daily to female rats during organogenesis at dose levels of 15, 50, and 150 mg/kg [trifluridine (FTD) equivalent]. Decreased fetal weight was observed at FTD doses ≥50 mg/kg (approximately 0.33 times the FTD exposure at the clinical dose of 35 mg/m 2 twice daily). At the FTD dose of 150 mg/kg (approximately 0.92 times the FTD exposure at the clinical dose of 35 mg/m 2 twice daily) embryolethality and structural anomalies (kinked tail, cleft palate, ectrodactyly, anasarca, alterations in great vessels, and skeletal anomalies) were observed.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of trifluridine, tipiracil or its metabolites in human milk or its effects on the breastfed child or on milk production. In nursing rats, trifluridine and tipiracil or their metabolites were present in breast milk (see Data ) . Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with LONSURF and for 1 day following the final dose. Data Radioactivity was excreted in the milk of nursing rats dosed with trifluridine/tipiracil containing 14 C-FTD or 14 C-tipiracil (TPI). Levels of FTD-derived radioactivity were as high as approximately 50% of the exposure in maternal plasma an hour after dosing with trifluridine/tipiracil and were approximately the same as those in maternal plasma for up to 12 hours following dosing. Exposure to TPI-derived radioactivity was higher in milk than in maternal plasma beginning 2 hours after dosing and continuing for at least 12 hours following administration of trifluridine/tipiracil.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Pregnancy Testing Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating LONSURF [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Contraception LONSURF can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Females Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LONSURF and for at least 6 months after the final dose. Males Because of the potential for genotoxicity, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use condoms during treatment with LONSURF and for at least 3 months after the final dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] .

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of LONSURF in pediatric patients have not been established. Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data Dental toxicity including whitening, breakage, and malocclusion (degeneration and disarrangement in the ameloblasts, papillary layer cells and odontoblasts) were observed in rats treated with trifluridine/tipiracil at doses ≥ 50 mg/kg (approximately 0.33 times the exposure at the clinical dose of 35 mg/m 2 twice daily).

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 1114 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer or gastric cancer who received single agent LONSURF in clinical studies, 45% were 65 years of age or over, and 11% were 75 and over. In the 246 patients who received LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab; 41% were 65 years of age or over, and 10% were 75 and over. While these studies were not designed to detect a difference in efficacy, no overall differences were observed in patients 65 or older versus younger patients with either LONSURF as a single agent or LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab. Patients 65 years of age or older who received LONSURF as a single agent had a higher incidence of the following hematologic laboratory abnormalities compared to patients younger than 65 years: Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (46% vs 32%), Grade 3 anemia (20% vs 14%), and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (6% vs 3%). Patients 65 years of age or older who received LONSURF in combination with bevacizumab had a higher incidence of the following hematologic laboratory abnormalities compared to patients younger than 65 years: Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (60% vs 46%) and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (5% vs 4%).

8.6 Renal Impairment No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (CLcr of 30 to 89 mL/min as determined by the Cockcroft-Gault formula). Reduce the dose of LONSURF for patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr of 15 to 29 mL/min) [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . The pharmacokinetics of trifluridine and tipiracil have not been studied in patients with end stage renal disease.

8.7 Hepatic Impairment No adjustment to the starting dosage of LONSURF is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment. Do not initiate LONSURF in patients with baseline moderate or severe (total bilirubin >1.5 times ULN and any AST) hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

How it works

LONSURF consists of a thymidine-based nucleoside analog, trifluridine, and the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, tipiracil, at a molar ratio 1:0.5 (weight ratio, 1:0.471). Inclusion of tipiracil increases trifluridine exposure by inhibiting its metabolism by thymidine phosphorylase. Following uptake into cancer cells, trifluridine is incorporated into DNA, interferes with DNA synthesis and inhibits cell proliferation. Trifluridine/tipiracil demonstrated anti-tumor activity against KRAS wild-type and mutant human colorectal cancer xenografts in mice.

Is there a generic Trifluridine and Tipiracil?

Yes. The FDA has approved generic Trifluridine and Tipiracil from 2 companies whose approvals are active. The earliest of these was approved in 2023.

An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.

The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.

Companies with an approved generic

Msn, Natco

Brand-name versions

  • Lonsurf Taiho Oncology, approved 2015

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Trifluridine and tipiracil in the news

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID f5beed22-d71d-4c0d-8dca-2c7317d65d85.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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