FDA pharmacologic class
Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor
12 medicines are in FDA's class of nucleoside metabolic inhibitors: fluorouracil (Efudex), gemcitabine (Avgemsi), capecitabine (Xeloda), azacitidine (Vidaza), decitabine, nelarabine (Arranon), cytarabine, clofarabine and 4 more; 3 combination products also contain one. 11 of the 15 are listed from generic labelers (FDA NDC Directory, October 8, 2026). The lowest pharmacy cost is capecitabine 500 mg tablet at $0.456 per tablet (NADAC).
Which medicines are nucleoside metabolic inhibitor?
| Medicine | Brand names | Generic labelers (all forms) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage | Recalls since 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluorouracil | Favlyxa, Efudex, Tolak | 18 labelers | $0.616 per gram 5% cream | Yes | No current entry | 2 |
| Gemcitabine | Avgemsi, Inlexzo | 10 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry | 5 |
| Capecitabine | Xeloda | 18 labelers | $0.456 per tablet 500 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry | 4 |
| Azacitidine | Onureg, Vidaza | 20 labelers | n/a | No | In shortage | 8 |
| Decitabine | none listed | 17 labelers | n/a | No | A presentation being discontinued | 2 |
| Nelarabine | Arranon | 12 labelers | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 2 |
| Cytarabine | none listed | 5 labelers | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 2 |
| Clofarabine | none listed | 9 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Mercaptopurine | Purixan | 2 labelers | $1.07 per tablet 50 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 6 |
| Fludarabine | none listed | 6 labelers | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 1 |
| Tipiracil and trifluridine | Lonsurf | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Cedazuridine and decitabine | Inqovi | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Cytarabine and daunorubicin | Vyxeos | none listed | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Pentostatin | Nipent | none listed | n/a | Yes | In shortage | 0 |
| Trifluridine | none listed | 1 labeler | $23.02 per mL 1% eye drops | No | No current entry | 0 |
Source: FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (NDC Directory, openFDA); CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA shortages and recalls (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay?
Each medicine's most widely listed form, per unit, in the NADAC survey: what pharmacies paid, not what a patient pays; strengths differ, so compare like with like.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price